By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Father Michael Hickey died July 9 at the age of 79. He served in the Archdiocese of Miami until joining the Diocese of Venice in 1986.
Venice, Fla. | The Diocese of Venice is mourning the loss of Father Michael Hickey, who died July 9 at the age of 79.
Father Hickey was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 21, 1962 in Galway, Ireland and incardinated into the Diocese of Venice Jan. 30, 1986.
He began serving in 1965 in the Archdiocese of Miami as associate pastor of St. Cecilia Parish, Fort Myers (which at that time was part of the archdiocese). He then served as associate pastor at St. James Parish, North Miami, and in 1967 at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Miami Lakes.
In 1970, Father Hickey was appointed administrator of St. Philip Benizi in Belle Glade. He also served as administrator of St. Francis Xavier and St. Bede parishes in Miami; as founding pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Naples; and as pastor at St. John Neumann Parish, Miami.
When the Diocese of Venice was created, Father Hickey served as co- administrator of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Immokalee; pastor of St. Paul Parish, Arcadia; and founding pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Sarasota. He retired from fulltime ministry in 1997.
The funeral Mass was celebrated July 13 at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Naples.
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