Mr. Nicolas “Corky” Hire

Mr. Nicolas “Corky” Rosario Hire, age 99, passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Mr. Hire was a longtime resident of Biloxi. He was an active member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Slavonia Benevolent Association, and a lifetime member of the VFW. Mr. Hire was named “Man of the Year” – Slavonia Benevolent Association; Shrimp King at the 80th Annual Biloxi Shrimp Festival & Blessing of the Fleet (2009); participated in the fourth Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight (2012); and is a member of the Seafood Museum – Heritage Hall of Fame (2015). During WWII, Mr. Hire enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserves (USCGR). He served as a Motor Machinist Mate 3rd class aboard LSTs in the South Pacific. This included duty in the Solomon Islands and participation in the invasion of Bougainville in which he earned a Battle Star. Mr. Hire is preceded in death by his parents, Nikola and Vincentia Martinich Hire; and by his siblings, Paul, Peter, Eddie, Margarette, and Katherine Hire. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Loyce Smith Hire; 2 daughters, Rita H. Bailey (Robert/Gil) and Lisa H. Cummings (James); 4 grandchildren, Bridgett Bermond (Jeremy), Katherine “Katie” Bailey, Nicolas Cummings, and Paul Cummings; 3 great-grandchildren Bailey, Peyton and Finnley Bermond; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Hire was an avid fisherman who loved his family. He will be missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am at St. Michael Catholic Church on Friday, March 12, 2021. Friends may visit from 10am–11am. A Private graveside service will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue in Biloxi, is honored to serve the Hire family.