Donald G. Hicks Jr.

Donald Gardner Hicks Jr., 84, of Leominster, passed away on Tuesday, April 15 th , 2025 after a brief illness with his family by his side.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Nancy (Sargent) Hicks; a daughter, Karen and her husband Grant Thorne; a son, Andrew and his wife Patricia (Kane); a grandson, Brandon Thorne and his wife Meredith (Carr); two granddaughters, Emily Thorne and Megan Hicks; a great-grandson, Aiden Thorne; a brother, David and his wife Susan (Penney); and a brother-in-law Paul Sargent and partner Sandra Bogan, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his adopted brother, Arthur Iverson.

He was born in Lowell, MA on December 12, 1940 to Donald G. Hicks and Mary S. (Gillespie) Hicks. He received his education at Lowell High School, Lowell State College, Lowell Commercial College, and University of Massachusetts. In 1959, he began his banking career at The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lowell. He held several positions over the years at various community banks including Worcester North Savings Bank in Fitchburg before retiring as President & CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank in 2002.

He was active in professional organizations in various capacities during his career including as President of the Savings Bank Forum of Massachusetts, Director of the Community Bank League of New England, member of the Marketing Committee of the Independent Community Bankers of America, a member of the Education Committee of the Massachusetts Bankers Association, Director of the Cooperative Central Bank, Chairman of the Cooperative Banks Employee Retirement Association, and was a proud alumni of the National School of Banking.

He additionally participated in and held leadership positions with multiple community organizations over the years, including as a coach and Treasurer of the Leominster Little League, Director of the Fay Club of Fitchburg, President of the North Central Mental Health Association, Vice Chairman of the United Way, and Trustee of the Fitchburg Art Museum.

As a longtime member of Pilgrim Congregational Church of Leominster, he served in many capacities over the years as Deacon, Trustee, and Treasurer. Don was an avid skier for over 60 years right up until his illness this year. He enjoyed many ski trips with his children, grandchildren, and many other family members and countless friends over the years. He joined the National Ski Patrol in 1973 as a Patroller and later served as Patrol Director, Regional Director and Eastern Division Treasurer.

He was appointed as a National Patroller for “Demonstrated Qualifications of Ability and Leadership” in 1988 and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1999 and he remained an alumni member after retiring from active patrolling.

He began his Freemasonry journey first as a member of Lowell DeMolay. In 1962, he became a Master Mason at Wamesit Lodge in Tewksbury. In addition to holding multiple positions in various affiliated masonic bodies he served as Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts during 2002-2004. At the time of his passing, in addition to Wamesit Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, he was a member of the following lodges: Columbian Lodge, Thomas Talbot Lodge, Norfolk Lodge, The Masters Lodge, Mount Holyoke Lodge, Social Harmony Lodge, William Parkman Lodge, The Harvard Lodge, Saint John’s Lodge, Wilder Lodge, Major General Henry Knox Lodge, Mount Holyoke Lodge, Merrimack Valley Daylight Lodge, The Henry Price Lodge, all in Massachusetts as well as the Alexandria- Washington Lodge No. 22, in Alexandria, Virginia and The Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile.

In Scottish Rite he was a member of the Valley of Lowell, and the Massachusetts Consistory in the Valley of Boston. He was a past Sovereign Prince of Lowell Council, Princes of Jerusalem, and served the Valley of Lowell as treasurer for ten years. He received the 33rd Degree in Cleveland in 1980 becoming an honorary member of the Supreme Council, and later served the Supreme Council as Grand Senechal in 1987-1990. He became an Active member in 1990 and served as Deputy from 2005 to 2012 and an Emeritus member in 2015.

In York Rite, he belonged to Thomas Royal Arch Chapter in Fitchburg; Saint Paul’s Royal Arch Chapter in Boston; Harris Council of Royal and Select Masters in Gardner; Jerusalem Commandery No. 9 in Fitchburg; and St. Bernard Commandery No. 12 in Boston. He was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland; Aleppo Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S. in Wilmington; and Massachusetts College. S. R. I. C. F. 

In addition, he was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine and served a two-year term as President of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria Virginia from 2013-2014. Loved and respected by his family, friends, and fellow Masons he will be forever in our hearts.

A Masonic Service will be held at Wamesit Masonic Lodge in Tewksbury on Tuesday, April 22 nd at 6 pm. Calling hours will be at Richardson Funeral Home in Leominster on Wednesday, April 23 rd from 4-7 pm. The funeral service will be held at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Leominster on Thursday April 24 th at 10 am with the burial to follow in Lowell.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Masonic Education & Charity Trust www.massfreemasonry.org/donate, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial www.gwmemorial.org, or Pilgrim Congregational Church Food Pantry 26 West St. in Leominster www.pcc1743.com Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St. Leominster is assisting the family. www.RichardsonFuneralHome.net

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