The Rev. John F. Hickey, C.M., a Lincoln Park native who served as a pastor in Taiwan for 30 years, died March 28 of liver cancer at the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Mary's retirement home in Chicago. He was 77.

     As a young boy Hickey lived in the neighborhood surrounding DePaul University, and at one time resided in a building now called Sheffield Square, which offers independent living for DePaul students. He attended elementary school at his parish school operated by St. Vincent's Church, and graduated high school from DePaul Academy in 1940.

     "From as early as fourth grade, Father Jack knew he wanted to serve in the foreign missions," said his brother Phillip Hickey. "We are so proud of his life of service, both in Taiwan and the United States."

     In 1941 Father Hickey joined the Congregation of the Mission, the religious order founded by Saint Vincent de Paul whose members are commonly known as Vincentians. He attended St. Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and completed his collegiate and theological education for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, Mo. He was ordained in 1949.

     A lifelong pastor, Hickey served as an associate pastor at St. Patrick's Church in LaSalle, Ill., from 1950 to 1952 and in the same capacity at St. Stephen's Church in New Orleans, La., from 1952 to 1953. That year, he was selected to minister to Chinese Catholics in Taiwan, a role he fulfilled with dedication for 30 years between 1953 and 1983, when he returned to Chicago. From 1983 to 1991, he lived at the Vincentian residence on DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus and was a chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor. He returned to parish work in 1991 when he became an associate pastor at St. Fidelis Church in Humboldt Park, where he remained until 1994. At that time, he returned to the Vincentian residence and became the senior priest in service.

     Father Hickey is survived by his brother, Phillip of Farmington Hills, Mich., and a sister, Sister John Mary of St. Rose, L.S.P., of Mobile, Ala. He was the son of the late John and Etta (nee Anderson) Hickey and brother of the late Jeanne Wenholz and Nan Watson.

     Visitation will take place March 31 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Vincent's Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave., with a vigil service to be held at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held April 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent's. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Rd., in Des Plaines.