At the outset, I must give credit to John Cairns, staff writer with the News-Optimist, for writing an article on Ray Hickson a few years ago. Much of this article is based on Cairns' work.
Ray Hickson was born on Dec. 26, 1935, the third of five children, to Ronald and Lillian Hickson at Maidstone. Ray received his elementary education in Waseca and completed high school in North Battleford.
Ray's record of community service and volunteerism is truly exceptional. It is doubtful that any citizen has done more for his city than Ray Hickson. Ray was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 39 years. He served three terms as president, was a zone commander for 21 years and district commander for five years. He presently serves as provincial vice-president. Ray has also administrated the legion's provincial and national track and field camps. But regardless of the nature of his work, Ray's focus on the main purpose of the legion never wavered. He noted, "… I'm a dedicated Legionnaire because I deeply care about our veterans." He has been a commissionaire since 1998. He has also been a North Battleford branch manager since 2003.
Ray was also heavily involved in community sports. He coached minor baseball and umpired, and served as umpire in chief. But Ray's greatest contribution to community sports was as a builder and fundraiser. He organized people to raise money for minor baseball. In this regard, he was able to arrange the sale of lottery tickets with Lotto Canada. The money was used to purchase uniforms and equipment and develop a midget ball diamond. Ray later founded the Battlefords Minor Sports Foundation, the purpose of which was to distribute lottery money to minor baseball, minor hockey, the swimming club, the figure skating club and the Legion Track and Field Club.
Ray was active in the Battlefords Granite Curling Club both as a player and a committee member. In this regard, he chaired the men's annual bonspiel for several years. In addition, he was a two-time winner of the George Woodward Award, presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the curling club. He was the only member who won this award twice. Ray was also a remarkably successful curler, winning national titles in both the Canadian Postal and Royal Canadian Legion competitions.
Ray also worked with the North West Hockey Development Club. This organization runs the canteen at the Civic Centre and donates the proceeds to local hockey teams.
Ray has also been instrumental in forming committees to host provincial and national events in North Battleford. These include the Provincial Junior Baseball Championships, the Western Canadian Bison Baseball Championships and the Saskatchewan Men's Provincial Curling Tankard. He also co-chaired the Sports Committee for the 1982 Saskatchewan Summer Games. In addition, Ray served on committees for the 2002 Senior Saskatchewan Summer Games, the SaskTel Provincial Ladies' Curling Playdowns and the 2010 Winter Olympics Torch Committee.
Ray's community service went well beyond involvement in sports. In 1992, he was appointed chair of the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation board. He served a maximum of six years, and after a mandatory two-year waiting period, he returned for another six-year term.
Ray has been involved in so many community service initiatives that it is difficult to properly document them. But Ray found his involvement with the Big Brothers association the most rewarding. In this regard, he was a big brother to a local boy, Gene Fauchon. It is important to note that Gene went on to coach young athletes in our community, and there can be little doubt that Ray, as Gene's big brother, had a major influence on his development.
Ray has recently become involved in the Seniors Home Security Program. This service provides free safety assessments and installation of home safety improvements for low-income seniors. The program has been immensely helpful for our older citizens, particularly those who have been the victim of home invasions.
Those who invest an extraordinary amount of time, energy and talent as a community volunteer should be recognized for their work. Ray is on the North Battleford Sports Museum and Hall of Fame's board of directors. In 2008, he received the organization's highest honour when he was inducted into the sports hall of fame in the builder category. Ray has received many honours, but escorting Princess Anne during the Royal Tour of the Battlefords in 2004 may be the one he remembers most.
Ray has given a great part of his life to help his fellow man. But in addition, he is a family man. He and his wife, Donna, have enjoyed a wonderful marriage. They were blessed with three children - daughters Cheryl, Lana, and a son, Rodney.
On the occasion of our city's centennial, we its citizens, stand in admiration of a man who has given so much of himself to the city of North Battleford. For his selfless service and many contributions to our community, we thank an extraordinary citizen - Ray Hickson.
