Thomas A. Hickey, Jr. 1938-2017
Thomas A. Hickey, Jr. ("Tom") 78, died May 1, 2017 in Greenville, SC. Tom leaves behind Patricia, his wife of 56 years, his two daughters Sara (TenBroek) and Mary (McCauley), and grandchildren Jake, Tommy and Katie McCauley, and Grace and Elizabeth TenBroek. He also leaves behind his siblings John and David Hickey, Phyllis Howe and Marilyn Lolas, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Born in Chicago on November 25, 1938, Tom was the eldest son of Ruth and Thomas Alanson Hickey. Growing up in Elgin, Tom attended Elgin High School where he was Class President and a graduate of Class of 1956. He entered Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and was chosen Sachem Orator for the graduating Class of 1960. Tom graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1967. He was licensed to practice law in Illinois and before the U.S. federal bench. Tom worked at American National Bank, G. H. Walker & Co. and G.H. Walker, Laird & Co., before joining the Union National Bank and Trust Company, in Joliet, Illinois, which was acquired by First Midwest Bancorp (FMBI). Tom rose to CEO of First Midwest Bank, Illinois where he was CEO, and a SVP and Director of First Midwest Bancorp. He was also Chairman and CEO of First Midwest Trust Company, Chairman of First Midwest Insurance Company and Chairman of First Midwest Asset Management Company. In 1993, Tom retired from FMBI and founded Prairie Asset Management Inc., an investment advisory business in Illinois. He was also an owner in several rural Illinois banks.
Tom was very active in the Will County community. In the early 1990's he served as Chairman of the Board of Will County Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate the Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development. He was honored for leadership and dedication in his role as campaign Chairman for the Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development.