Port Norris Legends

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John Crowell Hickman
b. May 15, 1943

John Crowell Hickman, was raised in Port Norris. His parents were Fred (Dink) and Eleanor Robbins Hickman. The Crowell is his grandmother's maiden name. She may have taught some of you piano lessons and Dink may have delivered your mail or worked on your car.

He has two brothers: Fred who lives in Millville and Billy, a tragic accident took his life at a young age of 3.

He attended Port Norris School and graduated from Millville High School in 1962. He played trombone in the High School Band.

He has been married to me [Janet Faye Berry] for 52 years. We were married in Port Norris Baptist Church on 9/7/1963. We have 3 children. Doug Hickman, Mike Hickman (who is hunting in Missouri right now) and Amy Hickman Robbins. We have two Grandchildren: Tim Hickman and Rachel Robbins.

He was a machinist at Maul Brothers for 12 years. He was a sergeant with the N J Marine Police for 19 years, a job that he loved. He was stationed at Bivalve and Burlington Stations. A correction officer at Southern State Prison for 6 yrs. (a job that he did not particularly enjoy.) He Retired in 2004.

He is a Deacon and Active member of Port Norris Baptist Church. He is an honorary member of the Port Norris Fire Co.

He served as Township Committeeman from 1975 to 1977. He enjoys farming, camping, fishing and singing and playing his banjo with the Buzzard's Gut Ballroom Band.

Other notes: The summer of 1960 he worked on the “R & A Jeffries” Oyster Boat owned by Claude Jeffries, The planted shells in the Delaware Bay and then up to Long Island Sound, NY, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Traveled to Hawaii twice and to Ireland. Camped way out to Mt. Rushmore and back, stopping at a lot of different interesting places along the way. Traveled to a lot of different states. Enjoyed surf fishing in the Outer Banks of NC.

Flew to California three times to Nephew Navy Capt. Don Berry’s change of command.

When his garden produced a lot of vegetable he enjoyed giving it away, especially to some of the Sr. citizens of Port Norris.

Presented by Faye Hickman

John Hickman's Family at the awards dinner.