Family mourns father-of-three after death on sports field

Karl Charles Hickey, 53, collapsed from a suspected heart attack at a West Auckland school's sports field on Sunday but could not be revived. Photo / Supplied

By Meghan Lawrence

The family of a recovered alcoholic and narcotics addict who turned his life around are mourning the father-of-three's death after he suddenly collapsed at a sports game.

Karl Charles Hickey, 53, was supporting his daughter, Leah Hickey, at physical disability rugby league (PDRL) training on Sunday when he collapsed from a suspected heart attack.

Family said he will be remembered for "his fight for life, his heart for social justice and his love of God".

Daughter Alana Leaupepe, 31, said the family had just attended a church service at Kelston Boys' High School and gathered on the field for PDRL training when her father took a turn for the worse.

"Initially people didn't know what was going on and when he didn't get up they rushed to his aid," she said.

"My brother and mother were the first two there for him and they noticed straight away that something was wrong."

She said her brother, Freeman Hickey, performed CPR on their father while they waited for an ambulance.

A St John spokesman confirmed an ambulance responded to a call about 1.20pm and found "one patient deceased on scene".

Leaupepe said a medical report on her father's death has come back inconclusive but "it looks like it was a heart attack".

"He was very sick and had only been out of hospital for a week and a half.

"He was only surviving on 10 per cent of his kidney function and had diabetes so there were underlying health issues that he was trying to get on top of."

Karl Hickey with his mother Tina Hickey, left, and daughter Alana Leaupepe. Photo / Supplied

Leaupepe expected "years of poor health management" led to the event, but said her father had started to make changes to "get his life right".

"He did actually fear that he was going to pass away as he felt very sick, but he was fighting it.

"He quit smoking a week ago after being a heavy smoker for years. He knew that he needed to make a drastic change but we are all in shock.

"He was such a fighter and we thought he would pull through like he has on so many other things."

Karl Charles Hickey was born in Auckland and brought up in Grey Lynn. The family moved to the family home in Kelston in his younger years.

Hickey was of Samoan descent and attended school in Samoa for several years before attending St Paul's College in central Auckland.

A blessing takes place at Kelston Boys High School in Auckland as the body of Karl Charles Hickey is taken away in an ambulance. Photo / Dean Purcell

Leaupepe said her father was a recovered alcoholic and narcotics addict, five years sober, who used his life experiences to help others in the West Auckland community.

"His heart was for the community and for people. He did so much work in the West Auckland community at the drug court, supporting youth, and he was a sponsor for quite a few people."

She said she will remember Hickey for "his fight for life, his heart for social justice and his love of God".

"He was always there when I needed him, he would drop anything. He loved his kids through everything, and we loved him equally in return.

"He was wise and gave great counsel and affirmations when we needed it, but also a stern talking to when we needed it as well."

Hickey is survived by three children, Alana, Leah and Freeman, and two grandchildren.

His funeral will be held on Sunday at 5pm, in the Kelston Boy's High School Auditorium.

A further service will be held on Monday, September 4, at 11am, at the Church Unlimited in Glendene, followed by his burial at 1pm at Waikumete Cemetery.