On Oct.10, Ronald Bradley “Ron” Hick of Madison, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Ron was the second child of Ellen and Les Jardine, born on March 1, 1936, in New Britain. In 1947, his family moved to Madison, which would become their home for generations to come. Ron attended Daniel Hand High School until his senior year. He then transferred and graduated in 1954, from Cheshire Academy, jokingly referred to as “Cheshire Reformatory” by Ron. From a young age, Ron was not afraid of hard work. Throughout high school and college, he delivered oil for one of the first oil companies on the shoreline and worked with the Madison Town Crew to help construct I-95, Polson Middle School, and the Genesee (water) Tunnel (which would bring water into the city of New Haven via the Hammonasset Reservoir).

Ron received his bachelor’s degree from Quinnipiac College before serving in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator. He began his career as a sales engineer with Anaconda Metal Hose out of Waterbury, where he worked on projects in both the aerospace and defense industries. He would later go on to spend the majority of his career at Barden Bearings of Danbury, traveling throughout the northeast supplying and servicing precision ball bearings in all aspects of manufacturing.

Ron met his wife, Emilie Owen Hick, at East Wharf Beach. Although the exact story has been debated over the years, legend has it that Ron tripped over a sunbathing beauty who would later become his wife of 62 years. Together they shared three daughters, Tracy (Bob) Lizotte of Killingworth, Carrie Hick (Kevin Coley) of Madison, and Barbara (Jim) Waters of Madison. While Ron didn’t have any sons, he raised his girls to be just as tough as the boys. From being dared by dad to see who could climb to the very top of a swaying pine tree to hearing the chilling words, “Come hold this flashlight, so I can bleed the brakes,” his girls feared nothing.

While raising his and Emilie’s family in Avon, he worked with Meals on Wheels delivering food to families, and frequently donated blood to the Red Cross. Ron further left his imprint by building over a dozen houses in town. After Ron and Emilie became empty nesters, they returned to their hometown of Madison. Ron continued to give back to the community by serving as an active member of the Lions Club, delivering food for Madison Community services, actively participating in the senior tax relief committee, and was a founding member of the town’s energy committee. He was also a member of the Madison Masons and the Westbrook Elks Club. He was always willing to lend a neighbor a hand or a tool; altruism was a part of Ron’s DNA.

Ron was clearly destined to be surrounded by women and would later become known as “Papa” to his seven granddaughters: Madison, Carson, Jordan, Emilie, Bridget, Avery, and Paige. Ron was a true salty dog, as he spent much of his time boating off of East Wharf Beach, waterskiing, and roller blading on Middle Beach Road. He could often be found under the hood of a car, building his own boats, or hiding around a corner ready to scare his unsuspecting family. He was loved for his hearty laugh, prankster personality, and ability to fix anything with fiberglass and epoxy. May he rest in peace in his laboratory in the sky — perfecting cold fusion and always late for dinner.

He is predeceased by his older sister Barbara Warner; her husband Gene; and his brother-in-law Henry Owen. He is now reunited with a lifetime of his furry companions, most recently his beloved golden retriever Moe, who shared his rebellious and loving spirit.

Services for Ron were held on Oct. 29, at the First Congregational Church of Madison. In lieu of flowers, Ron’s family would appreciate donations to be made to Connecticut Hospice in Branford.