James P. Hickey Sr., 87, died on Monday, June 22, 2026, under the care of Greenfield Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where he had resided the past two years.

He was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on November 14, 1938, the son of Pauline M. Buzzell and Harold J. Hickey. When Jimmy was two years old, he moved to Greenfield where he resided for his entire life. He attended Holy Trinity School where he met and grew lifelong friends, which he cherished. He graduated from Greenfield High School, Class of 1957, where he formed dear and lasting friendships hanging out and playing pinball with the guys at The Corner Store. He was known for driving fast and furiously in brand-new cars bestowed upon him by his car salesperson father each of his high school years. He was your typical “50s guy.”

Jim attended drafting school in Boston and returned to work in local industries including Deerfield Plastics, Lunt Silversmiths, and Greenfield Tap & Die/TRW as a planner estimator in the Gage Department. When they relocated to the Chicago area, Jim opened his landscaping business. He was offered the position of courier at Greenfield Savings Bank, where he remained until his retirement.

Jim married his wife Nancy (Morrissey) on August 30, 1963, and together they celebrated 62 years of marriage where they created his greatest legacy, his beloved family. He loved his home and family and was lovingly nicknamed “Yardbird” by his “favorite” and only daughter, Jennifer, as he meticulously cared for his yard, while greeting passersby always with a kind hello.

He coached his sons in Little League and enjoyed watching and attending sporting events–especially when his kids and grandchildren were competing. He was their biggest fan in both victory and defeat.

He was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Parish where he served as an usher and a member of the Men’s Club.

Jim leaves his wife Nancy; his sons, James Jr. and his wife Michelle, John and his wife Staci, and his daughter Jennifer Isotti. He also leaves behind his grandchildren (Olivia, Nicholas, Siena, Quinn, Parker, Samson, Colin, Owen, Raegan, and Kathryn) and his great-grandchildren (Malachi, Kayden, Kashton, Ezekiel, Remington, Baker, Valencia, Laroii, Penelope, Milana, and Xander.) Other survivors include his cousins Michael Hickey and wife Tina; and Mareen Devino; his in-laws Ellen Kelton and her husband Michael, Michael Morrissey and his wife Diane; and many nieces and nephews.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Friday June 26, 2026 at 10 AM at Blessed Trinity Parish/Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial at Calvary Cemetery will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Nursing Center’s activity fund or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. In lieu of flowers or a contribution, we ask that you do something kind for someone. One of Jim’s defining attributes was his ability to pay a compliment to loved ones, friends, and strangers alike.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com