Edwin E. Hicks, 65, died peacefully at home in Chicago, July 4, 2022. At his side was his loving partner, Greg Tabaczynski. Edwin was preceded in death by his partner of many years Michael Stanton. Edwin was born, April 4, 1957, to Grace(Dulabahn) and Walter Hicks, in Protection, and the family moved to Lyons, when he was a child.
He attended Lyons High School where he developed all the skills and interests which would occupy his future life. edwin became intensely involved in music, playing piano, singing and learning many other instruments. Active in the Lyons High School Band and their performance ensemble, “The Lionaires”, he was president of the Band in his senior year and he personally and the ensemble received “One” and “One Plus” ratings in the state music competitions. He played the Wizard in “The Wizard Of Oz” in the high school musical performance. edwin also was active in Journalism and his love of books led him to work at the public library while in high school. Academically he was invited to the Honors Banquet all four years and was graduated as Salutatorian in 1975.
He then studied Organ Performance at the University of Kansas, where he lived for a number of years in the Battenfeld Scholarship Hall, gave outstanding junior and senior recitals, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 1979. During this time he also began working at B. Dalton Booksellers in Kansas City and eventually transferred to the Chicago location. Edwin was fond of saying he moved in 1980 to Chicago temporarily -- and never left. From the bookstore scene he moved into the advertising world and enjoyed a successful career as a production coordinator in several well-known Chicago agencies: Leo Burnett, J. Walter Thompson and Bozell. But Edwin’s true passions were always music, literature and language, and gardening. Rarely would he be seen without a book in tow and was known by sight to his local librarians. Often he could be seen about in the late evening pinching seeds from neighbors' plants, trying to get anything whatsoever to grow. He was intensely proud of his farmland roots and worked to recreate a piece of the Prairie on his property in Chicago (to the consternation no doubt of his neighbors), allowing wildflowers to flourish to meet the needs of the birds and butterflies. His love for living things also extended to raising a long series of kittens and cats throughout his adult life. He also loved travelling and notably undertook two solo expeditions to Europe and the Far East. Besides his advertising jobs, Edwin also pursued his musical vocation as the organist & music director for Gethsemane UCC church in Chicago for many years. He was a patron of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a fixture at the Lyric Opera of Chicago for many decades, eager to share his knowledge of librettos, composers and musical nuances. His idea of a wonderful evening started with a Rob Roy (or two), a fine Italian dinner, and a really good cry at a Verdi opera.
Edwin’s generosity of spirit led him to be involved in many community activities. As an activist during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, Edwin volunteered at hospital in AIDS wards. Adhering to his musical roots, he was an active member in the DePaul Community Chorus and dabbled in other forms such as shape note singing, square dancing, contra dancing... In retirement he learned to "dance Tai Chi", becoming a Tai Chi instructor, and more recently organizing outdoor practice sessions in Welles Park, Chicago, during the insanity of the COVID lockdown, even as he was bravely living with cancer. To have known Edwin was a gift. No one could deliver an acerbic comment or some grammar tutelage as lovingly as edwin. His wit, the deep rivers of his emotions and empathy, and strength of character will be missed by the many that loved him dearly.
Graveside service will take place in his home town of Lyons, at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, with Pastor Chris Lehew officiating.