Joseph E. Hicks, 59, of 11 Park Avenue, Mount Vernon, had worked for Neptune at least 25 years, first as a long‐haul truck driver and more recently as a helper and packer at the New Rochelle warehouse.

A native of Norfolk, Va., where he starred on the football field for St. Joseph's High School, he moved north in 1946. He and his family lived in New Rochelle until 1959, when they moved to Mount Vernon. At his death he was living with his wife, Grenada, and their daughter, Yvonne, 38, in Westchester Plaza, a modern apartment complex near downtown Mount Vernon.

One son, Edward, is advertising manager for a black‐oriented publication in Manhattan. Another son, Joseph A., lives in Chatham, Va. Mr. Hicks also leaves five grandchildren.

Mrs. Hicks, who said she had met her husband at a dance after a football game in Norfolk, said he had never given up his love for the sport.

“He loved to read and watch television,” she said, “especially the football games.” Mrs. Hicks is a school‐crossing guard in Mount Vernon.

The family said Mr. Hicks had traveled all over the country and as far as Mexico as a truck driver. “He loved his work,” said his son Edward, “and it kind of took something out of him when he couldn't go out on the road any more.”

The Hickses said they did not know why he had given up his driving job, because he remained in good health until his death. One fellow worker said, however, that the long hours behind the wheel had begun to take their toll and that Mr. Hicks had asked to be relieved of driving.

Joseph E. Hicks, 59, of 11 Park Avenue, Mount Vernon, had worked for Neptune at least 25 years, first as a long‐haul truck driver and more recently as a helper and packer at the New Rochelle warehouse.

A native of Norfolk, Va., where he starred on the football field for St. Joseph's High School, he moved north in 1946. He and his family lived in New Rochelle until 1959, when they moved to Mount Vernon. At his death he was living with his wife, Grenada, and their daughter, Yvonne, 38, in Westchester Plaza, a modern apartment complex near downtown Mount Vernon.

One son, Edward, is advertising manager for a black‐oriented publication in Manhattan. Another son, Joseph A., lives in Chatham, Va. Mr. Hicks also leaves five grandchildren.

Mrs. Hicks, who said she had met her husband at a dance after a football game in Norfolk, said he had never given up his love for the sport.

“He loved to read and watch television,” she said, “especially the football games.” Mrs. Hicks is a school‐crossing guard in Mount Vernon.

The family said Mr. Hicks had traveled all over the country and as far as Mexico as a truck driver. “He loved his work,” said his son Edward, “and it kind of took something out of him when he couldn't go out on the road any more.”

The Hickses said they did not know why he had given up his driving job, because he remained in good health until his death. One fellow worker said, however, that the long hours behind the wheel had begun to take their toll and that Mr. Hicks had asked to be relieved of driving.