Passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's at Fleming, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in his 92nd year. Beloved son of the late Richard Leo Hickson and Mary Loretta Pearson. Loving brother of Helen Coughlin (late Bernard), Dr. Paul Hickson (Caroline) and Anne McGarrity (late Patrick). Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by his brothers Clayton (Peggy), John (Teresa), Joseph (Mary Rose), Leonard (Barbara), and his sisters Margaret O'Connor (Daniel), Phyllis Nantau (Kiel), Theresa Long (Douglas), Jean Crowley (Carl), Mary Simmons (Paul) and Isabelle Foster (Harold). Father Clair attended Sacred Heart School and St. Peter's High School in Peterborough. He received his B.A. Sc. at the University of Toronto, his B.A. at the University of Western Ontario and his M.A. in religious studies at the University of Ottawa. He was ordained a priest at St. Peter's Cathedral on May 29, 1965. Father Clair served as assistant at St. Joseph's Parish, Bowmanville from 1965-1966, and taught at St. Peter's High School from September 1967 to June 1978. He was appointed the first pastor of St. Francis Assisi Parish, Newcastle on June 23, 1978 and served there until becoming pastor of St. Mary's Parish, Huntsville on January 15, 1981. He was pastor at St. Martin's Parish, Ennismore from June 1989 until 1990. Father Clair was pastor of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Campbellford from June 1990 until his retirement on September 1, 2010, after which he resided at St. Anne's Parish in Peterborough. He was appointed Judge for the Marriage Tribunal (Peterborough) from 2012 until 2020.

Visitation at SACRED HEART CHURCH, Peterborough from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024 (Prayers for the Office of the Dead at 7 p.m. Sunday). Then visitation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024 followed by a Funeral Mass on Monday at 10 a.m. Interment at St. Peter's Cemetery. Reception to follow in the Duffus Reception Centre. On-line condolences can be made at www.duffusfuneralhome.com