Hiram (“Hi”) Guinn Stickney Jr. of Orcas Island died peacefully in Bellingham on April 10, 2016 following a brief illness. He was 88 years old. Preceded in death by his wife of 28 years, Jane Stickney, and by his first wife of 23 years, Janice Stickney, he is survived by his companion, Penelope Hawkes; his four children – Jeanne Maki, Paul Stickney, Jay Stickney and David Stickney – ten grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.
A resident of Orcas Island since 1989, Hi loved island life and his friends here and actively participated in the community for many years. Together with Jane Stickney, he co-owned a Re-Max real estate office from the early 1990s until 2002. He appeared in several musical presentation on the Island Community Center Stage and sang in the Orcas Choral Society for 18 years and for two years in the Orcas a Capella Choir. He also served on many boards of Orcas nonprofits: the Orcas Medical Center, the Orcas Community Center, Orcas Choral Society and the Orcas Tennis Club. Hi also served on the board of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival from 2002 through 2009. In recent years, Hi greatly enjoyed the friendships he developed through the Orcas Senior Center and the time that he spent there.
Born May 28, 1927 in Los Angeles to parents Hiram Guinn Sr. and Elizabeth Eals Stickney, Hi graduated from Beverly Hills High School in ’44 and UCLA in ’50 with a B.S. in Banking and Finance. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from ’44 to ’46. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Hi was, for most of his professional life, a manufacturer’s representative in the garment business specializing in U.S.-manufactured children’s wear. He completed his career in that field with a stint in New York City working for Warnaco Corporation. He retired from Warnaco in 1989 at age 62 and relocated to Orcas Island shortly thereafter.
Throughout his life, Hi had many passions and pursuits. To name just a few, he loved to cook and entertain and was passionate about music, particularly jazz. His drink of choice was Johnnie Walker Black Label. He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed running, hiking and cycling with his family. He was a voracious reader and greatly enjoyed the company of his friends in book club. He also had a terrific sense of adventure and travelled extensively throughout his life.
A public memorial service celebrating Hi’s life will be held at the Orcas Senior Center at 3:00 pm on Sunday, May 1, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Orcas Senior Center in Hi’s name.
