Longtime Visitor’s Last Bermuda Wish
An American Vietnam war veteran who found peace and tranquility in Bermuda over the course of many visits has asked that some of his ashes be scattered at Jobson’s Cove on South Shore, so a part of him can always remain on the island which he grew to love.
William T. (Bill) Hickey died in Deltona, Florida this morning (Dec.22) following an illness and the 21-year retired US Army veteran’s family plan to visit Bermuda in the New Year so they can honour one of his last requests.
“He had a strong love for the people and the island of Bermuda,” said Mr. Hickey’s brother, Tim. “Having visited there many times, he had always considered Bermuda his home away from home and the wonderful people of the island his extended family. He had introduced me as well as many friends and family to the openess and friendliness of his home away from home.
“In his final wishes, he asked that a portion of his ashes be sprinkled along the beach of Jobson’s Cove on the island. Jobson’s Cove is also know to us as ‘Mom’s Cove’ because he had taken our mother to Bermuda many years ago as her final days approached. We had planned on returning to the Island this coming year, and we will, we will just be minus one member of the family.”
Tim Hickey, also a US Army veteran, said his brother — who served a tour of duty in South-East Asia during American involvement in the Vietnam War (1961-75) – first visited Bermuda in 1992 aboard the cruise ship “Celebrity Meridian” and “the addiction began to your wonderful island.”
“Bill — also known as ‘Bermuda Bill’ — Hickey continued to visit your Island MANY times in the years to come on cruises from the USA,” Tim Hickey told Bernews . “My wife and I returned with him back in 1995 aboard the ‘Norwegian Dreamward’ (now called the ‘Norwegian “Dream’) .
“ We were discussing returning this upcoming year, but as his health began to fail, that thought became more gray. My sister and her husband Claude (Claude is Bermuda born) are due to visit this upcoming April on a cruise and discussion is ongoing about my sister-in-law going with them to sprinkle Bill’s ashes in Jobson’s Cove.
“As I mentioned, we named Jobson’s Cove ‘Mom’s Cove’ because she had fallen in love with it when she had been brought there by Bill many years ago.My wife & I unfortunately will not be able to attend since I have been unemployed for over a year and my wife just began a new job after herself being unemployed for four months. My thoughts will be there although my body won’t.”
William (Bermuda Bill) Hickey leaves behind his wife Wendy, two daughters, three sisters and one brother.
