On 23 February 2010, John Julian Hickman, MRPharmS, aged 54, of Bracken Cottage, Wood Road, Longsdon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9QT.
Mr Hickman registered in 1983.
Tributes
MARGARET and NEIL YOUD write: We first met Julian in 1983 when we were all newly qualified pharmacists working in the Derby area.
He had previously worked as a medical representative, having studied biochemistry before moving on to pharmacy. We quickly formed a friendship that was to last for more than a quarter of a century and for the remainder of Julian’s life.
Before long we had relocated to North Staffordshire and coincidently Julian moved to the area a short while later. Although our career paths took different directions we remained close, never letting company loyalty come before our friendship. Julian was always conscientious and had a work ethic to be admired. He rose through the ranks and served on various committees with dedication. He moved away from “white-coating”, as he called it, and always appeared to be well respected in pharmaceutical circles.
Julian cared for his widowed mother with great devotion, moving her from Derby to a bungalow opposite his own home so he could look after her and spending hours at her side in her latter days at a nursing home.
He had a sense of humour to which we instantly related. We always felt at ease with Julian and he was a person we could laugh with. We enjoyed relaxing together and would unwind over dinner and a glass of wine as he reminisced about his childhood days — he could be quite sentimental at times.
Throughout his incredibly cruel illness Julian remained positive and underplayed the situation, always saying he was “fine” even though we could see how difficult life was becoming. He was fortunate to be able to spend his last months at home.
We shall always remember the fun we had together and will miss him greatly following his untimely death.
JOHN RATCLIFFE (chairman, North Staffordshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee) writes: Julian came to North Staffordshire to work for George Staples (later subsumed by Lloyds) managing pharmacies at Werrington and Huntbatch Street, Hanley. He progressed to area management with various responsibilities, travelling many miles in the Midlands and north west England.
Julian was vice-chairman of North Staffordshire LPC from its second term until the last. He also served on the professional executive committee and the drug addiction treatment group, and advised a practice-based commissioning group. His efforts helped ensure that Staffordshire pharmacists provided a quality service to drug misusers. He also served as a Company Chemists’ Association representative on South Staffordshire and Shropshire LPCs.
Julian was a team player, with a wealth of knowledge and experience, and a ready and excellent source of advice. An only child and dutiful son, he enjoyed his holidays and the company of his many friends who more than replaced the close family he lacked.
He courageously fought an aggressive brain tumour for a year — one Sunday, when he was first ill, his visitors in hospital included 15 pharmacists. According to his wishes he died at home in the company of friends.
Pharmacy was his life and will be the poorer without him. Julian will be mourned by many friends, neighbours and colleagues. It was a privilege to have known him.
