Roger J. Hickey Jr., 76, co-owner of the Boystown bar, the North End, died July 12 from a heart attack. Hickey died just one day shy of his birthday.
The news was reported by Micah Hilgendorf, the general manager of the North End and Lucky Horseshoe Lounge bars.
Hickey was born in Petersburg, Va. and was raised in both Petersburg and Richmond, Va. He later lived in both New York City and Boston before moving to Chicago.
After serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Hickey headed up the reservation/call center division of Holiday Inn of both North and South America where he set up their worldwide reservation computer program.
Not only did Hickey co-own the North End, he was a partner along with Fred Kramer in Carol's Speakeasy until the bar closed in 1991. Previously, he also owned the Cell Block—he was the founder—from the mid 1990s into the early 2000s. He ran the Cell Block and the North End concurrently before he sold the Cell Block in 2003.
Hickey was a board member of the Center on Halsted as it was taking shape and being built and also served as a member of the board of the Northalsted Business Alliance for 10 years.
Hickey is survived by his partner of 32 years, Dr. Kenneth John Smith Ph.d.; brother of Patricia (Sidney) Masri, and Michael (Marcia) Hickey; uncle of David (Sally) Masri, Rebecca (Joe) Abrenio, Sean (Crystal), Ryan (Becky), and Travis; and his beloved rescue dog Gunner. He was preceded in death by his parents Roger J. Hickey Sr., a car salesman, and Ruth Hickey.
"Roger was a great guy. His interests in the community always came first and his business interests were secondary. Improving the community drove all of his decisions as a community member and business owner," said Ben Allen, owner of the Lucky Horseshoe Lounge and partner along with Hickey at the North End.
Art Johnston, co-owner of Sidetrack, said of Hickey, "I had the privilege to know Roger since the early '80s. Roger was always a responsible community member, a business leader and a kind, honorable man. He was one of the first business owners to commit sustaining financial support to the serious work for a gay-rights law statewide in the early '90s, support which he continued through the passage of Illinois' non-discrimination law in 2005. At the same time, Roger committed substantial personal time and resources in helping build Halsted Street into the business center it has become, always speaking not only for his own business interests, but for the interests and needs of the entire LGBT community. We will all miss Roger."
"Roger built an institution—the Cell Block—that provided a much needed space for all leather folks to walk through the door and feel very welcomed," said longtime activist Israel Wright. "Cell Block was one of the leather bars that acted as the leather folks community center on so many levels. The bar held a number of contest including hosting and sponsoring contestants for International Mr. Leather.
"Roger was willing to take chances on a number of start-up organizations. One that comes to mind for me was Onyx, the people of color leather group. Roger outside of the bar was quite the businessman. He had interest with other bar owners on Halsted Street including North End. Roger you will be missed here on this side but your star will shine forever."
"Roger was a thoughtful, considerate gentleman whose contributions to the leather community are both unsung and unparalleled. I will always value Roger's generosity and tenacity. How terribly I'll miss him," said leather activist Doug O'Keefe.
Longtime AIDS activist Lori Cannon said Roger "was one good and loyal friend to Open Hand. Along with his then bar manager, David Boyer, he always devised ways to raise much-needed funds to keep our pantry—Groceryland—well stocked with groceries and personal care items for our low-income clients living with AIDS. He was a quiet, and selfless gentleman. May he RIP."
Chuck Renslow, president of the Leather Archives and Museum said, "He was a wonderful person and did so much for our leather and rubber communities. Roger will be sorely missed."
David Boyer, manager of Touche' and former manager of Carol's Speakeasy and Cell Block said, "Under Roger's guidance, I honed my bar management skills and created some of the most exciting bar events at Carol's and Cell Block over the years. I will miss his friendship."
A memorial service is being planned for the morning of August 12 at the Center on Halsted. Donations can be made to the Center on Halsted, www.centeronhalsted.org . Contact the Cremation Society of Illinois on Addison Street for more information about the memorial service. They can be reached at 773-281-5058.
