James 'Kenny' Hickman

Pepperell, MA – James ‘Kenny’ Hickman, age 69, of Pepperell passed away suddenly on September 1, 2024.

Born at the Chelsea Naval Hospital on January 25, 1955, son of Bobby G. and Marion N. (Hartin) Hickman. Being the son of a sailor, he resided in several states growing up such as California, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Once his father retired from the Navy the family settled in Maynard. After graduating from Newton Technical High School with a focus on Electronics, Kenny and his pal, Danny DeForge, joined the Army on the 'buddy system'. Kenny was able to talk Danny into also going 'Airborne' together. He served with the 509th Infantry Regiment as a Combat Engineer. Though stationed in Italy, his battalion also performed training missions in Germany, Turkey and Belgium. Among his military awards his most treasured were his Jump Wings and Sharpshooter Badges.

His career as a CNC Machinist lasted over 42 years working at NAVTEC, Lavelle Machine & Tool, Shattuck Precision Machine and retired in 2023. He enjoyed woodworking, making furniture for friends and family, tinkering, building wooden toys and making improvements to the house in Pepperell. He also had an expansive garden for many years which he generously shared, his specialty was making stuffed ‘giant’ zucchini. Kenny was always ready to help friends and family whenever he could.

He leaves his wife, Ann Marie (Pizza) Hickman; stepdaughter Heather Leach-Steinmann and her husband John of Pepperell; sister Virginia (Ginger) Gordon and husband Carl of Clinton; grandchildren Taylor and Jake Steinmann; nieces and nephews Christopher Gordon, Jessica (Gordon) Hughes, Valerie (Gordon) Paz, Ana Gordon, Sean Sylvia, Rebecca (Sylvia) Loftus, Carrie Anne (Hickman) Lake, Joshua Schneider and many great nieces and nephews. Kenny is predeceased by his brother Robert G. Hickman and sister Elizabeth A Sylvia 

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm, at the Pleasant Café, 7 Depot Square, Ayer, MA 01432

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Chelmsford, MA. Checks can be made to Newhouse Wildlife Rescue at PO Box 596 Chelmsford, MA 01824 or Venmo: @NewhouseWildlifeRescue