Father Joseph M. Hickey, pastor of the St. Vincent de Paul Church in Elmont since 1985, was remembered last week for the gentle touch he brought to his calling and for a tireless commitment to the area's poor.

The pastor, who had his hand in every facet of church life here in Elmont, died suddenly at the parish rectory on July 4.

He was 57 years old and had only recently marked the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

"Without question the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Father Hickey is his commitment to those in need," said Father Frank Snider, who this past Sunday was named to serve as interim administrator for St. Vincent until a new pastor is chosen by the diocese.

"When he came to St. Vincent 13 years ago, one of the first things he did, at the suggestion of parishioner Camille DiOrio, was establish the parish outreach program, which has since gone on to become one of the strongest programs of its kind in all of Long Island.

"Father Hickey really was committed to serving the poor and needy in the Elmont area, and I must tell you, the sheer numbers the parish has served are unbelievable," Father Snider continued.

"You know, it's funny, I think the parish outreach program was something he set in motion on his very first day here," said Annette Schaaff, who succeeded DiOrio as outreach coordinator.

"When Camille suggested we establish this program, Father Hickey was immediately supportive of the idea. In fact, I'd say that from that very first day until the moment he died, he was tremendously supportive of the outreach."

To Schaaff and to the scores of people it serves -- 3,000 annually by conservative estimates -- the St. Vincent de Paul Church parish outreach program is a jewel of Elmont and of the Diocese of Rockville Centre as a whole.

"And without the support of Father Hickey, I don't think we would have gotten to where we are today," Schaaff said. "We have a food pantry; we have clothing; we do referrals to many aid agencies; we provide transportation for the poor; we do support for our seniors, through home visits and the like; we assist some HIV clients... it goes on and on and on, and it was Father Hickey who was supportive of that vision."

According to Schaaff, that vision also extended beyond the church. "Father Hickey got involved in everything, even public policy," she said. "It was through the parish outreach, for instance, that we were able to get the timing of the lights on Hempstead Turnpike changed to make it easier for our local residents to cross.

"Over the years, we really have become the eyes and ears of the community, the needy in particular," Schaaff added.

Born in East Elmhurst, Father Hickey grew up in Flushing, Queens, where he attended St. Andrew Avellino School.

He went on to graduate from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, and Mary Immaculate Seminary College in Northampton, Pennsylvania.

He completed his studies for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington.

In addition, he also earned a master of arts degree in theology and a master of science in education and counseling and a professional diploma in counseling, all from St. John's University.

He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, holding the rank of lieutenant at the time of his death.

His assignment to St. Vincent's was Father Hickey's first pastorate.

"Oh, he was a great man and a great priest," said church trustee Bill O'Brien.

"He was always there to help the people, to serve the people, and do whatever he could for the people of the parish."

Though Father Hickey died over a week ago, O'Brien said he still hasn't gotten over it. "He seemed in fine health," the church trustee said of his pastor.

"He was the kind of guy who really took care of himself, watching what he ate and watching his weight. He seemed fine right to the end."

In addition to the role he played in starting the parish outreach, O'Brien said Father Hickey will also be long remembered for his work in a myriad of other church organizations, including the Over 50 Club and the Pastoral Council, for both of which he served as moderator.

Asked in what ways Father Hickey will most be missed, O'Brien pointed to "his kindness, his gentleness, and his concern for the people and the parish."

Prior to coming to St. Vincent, Father Hickey had served as associate pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, West Hempstead; St. James, Seaford; Christ the King, Commack; and Blessed Sacrament, Valley Stream.

Father Hickey also served for six academic years -- September, 1972 through June, 1979 -- as a history teacher and vice principal for guidance at St. Pius X Preparatory Seminary, in Uniondale.

It was there that Father Snider, then a teenaged high school student, first made Father Hickey's acquaintance.

"Even then, the word commitment would have applied to him," Father Snider recalled. "He was committed to history and to helping his students discern their vocation. I also remember that he spent a lot of time with his students."

In a reflection he prepared for the Long Island Catholic newspaper for his silver jubilee as a priest, Father Hickey wrote at length about the influence of the priests with whom he served his first assignment at St. Thomas; of the generosity of the faculty at St. Pius X; of the "willing and generous people to work with" he found in each of his parishes.

His own legacy his equally multi-faceted. Father Snider, for instance, recalled that, among other things, Father Hickey worked hard to make St. Vincent's rectory a peaceful and supportive place for the priests who took up residency there.

"Another side of Father Hickey that I experienced very strongly and first hand, was his concern about hospitality for priests.

"The rectory is a very peaceful place to live at St. Vincent's; priests get a lot of support there. I think Father Hickey believed that a happy rectory means a happy parish."

Pausing a moment, Father Snider added, "I miss him very much."

Father Hickey was waked at the St. Vincent rectory last Wednesday and Thursday, with the church remaining open until 10 p.m. the second night so that everyone who wanted to would have a chance to pay their last respects to the pastor.

The principal celebrant at the funeral Mass was Bishop James Daly; Msgr. Edward Donnelly, pastor of Holy Family Church in Hicksville, preached the homily.

In addition a Mass of Transferal was offered on Father Hickey's behalf by Father John Dreasen, pastor of St. Boniface, in Elmont.

Father Donald Babinski, associate pastor of St. Aiden's Church, Williston Park, preached the homily.

Aside from his parish and educational work, Father Hickey served on the diocesan commission for Ecumenism and on the Pastor's Council for Elementary Schools, as a Regional Moderator for the Bishop's Annual Appeal, and as chaplain for both the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Hewlett Point Yacht Club.

Surviving Father Hickey are his sister, Margaret Nakakoji, of Connecticut, and two brothers, Thomas Hickey, of Flushing, and John Hickey, of Tampa, Florida, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Father Hickey was interred at St. Mary's Cemetery in Flushing.

Said Annette Schaaff, "Even with his passing, Father Hickey's mission will go on. There's no two ways about it."