WELL-KNOWN businessman, and founder of Woodley company Hicks Development Ltd, has died.
John Leslie Hicks passed away peacefully, say his family.
He died on Thursday, July 27, aged 85, and will be sadly missed by loved ones and friends.
Mr Hicks founded and led a number of businesses, including Hicks Development Ltd.
The family-run company was established in 1971, and has been creating homes in the Thames Valley for 50 years.
John was a keen charity promoter and fund raiser, and was president of the Woodley Carnival Committee from the 1970s.
This group, together with Woodley Town Council, raised the quarter of a million pounds needed to build Woodley’s Oakwood Centre.
And, president of the Lodden Valley Rotary Club from 1992, John was awarded the Paul Harris Award for his exceptional Rotary and charity work.
Growing up in Reading, he began his business life with an apprenticeship in carpentry at Reading Technical College.
After graduating he set up in business with a group of fellow students.
He met and married Maureen, and built the couple’s first home in Woodley, before later moving to Sonning.
Over time John established a collection of Woodley businesses, including Hicks Joinery, house building enterprise Hicks Developments Ltd, a garage, an MOT centre, and a builders merchants known as Hicks Yard.
Many borough residents will be living in a Hicks-built home, with properties created by John’s company including those on Greenacres Estate, in Winnersh, and The Hawthorns Estate in Charvil.
“My father was very hard working, and had amazing energy,” said his son Steve Hicks, who now runs the business portfolio.
“He would be at work before 8am, would come home at 6pm, before going out to evening charity meetings.
“Despite having TB at the age of 17 and losing three quarters of one lung, this never seemed to bother him until he reached his 80s.
“Even after he retired he would still drop into the office until around six or seven years ago.”
John enjoyed travelling, and spending time with his five grandchildren.
His funeral service will take place at St. Andrew’s Church, Sonning on Tuesday, August 15, at 11:30 am.
The family asks for family flowers only, and requests, instead, that donations be made to the British Heart Foundation, by contacting: www.abwalker.co.uk.
All enquiries should be made to A. B. Walker, Woodley, on: 0118 969 8888
