Robert J. Hickson, 52, of Bethel died May 18. Mr Hickson was born September 30, 1963, in Danbury, and was the son of the late Beverly (Pavelec) and Albert Hickson.A poem written by the family:Despite our ups and downs and family strife we were all blessed to have you in our lives. A phone call here, a warm hug there no other relationship could truly compare. With or without, your love was strong nobody could replace our special bond. New starts begin for you and me but no matter what we are family. We love you." honanfh.com.

His beloved fiancée, Yvonne Zucker, and stepdaughter, Christine Zucker, survive him. Two sisters, Robin Hickson-Reutzel of Newtown and Kellie Hickson-DuFault of Littleton, N.C., and a niece also survive Mr Hickson.

He was an outstanding athlete in Newtown, both for the Sports Guild, when he was in grammar school at St Rose, and at Newtown High School. Mr Hickson excelled at baseball, football and wrestling. He attended West Point, where he played football. He also played for Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.

He was a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union.

A committal service will be conducted at St Rose Cemetery, Cherry Street, Sandy Hook, on Monday, June 6, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 or donors@stjude.org.

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Arrangements are in the care of the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

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