Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Paul Heacock Obituary

Paul Heacock, 59, died 17 Oct. 2015. Dear husband of Carol-June Cassidy and father of Akosua Tyler Cassidy-Heacock (Tim Hull). Son of William and Jean Heacock. Brother of the late Diane Smith. Loved brother-in-law of Francine and Charlie Gebus, Anne-Marie and Mike Ransom, Judy Cassidy and Bev Seitz, Clarice and Bill Druback, Holly and Gerry Crisonino, Kerrie Thompson, Sean Cassidy, and Anita and Ritch Neal; he is missed by his many nieces and nephews.

A writer, editor, lexicographer, and publishing manager, Paul began his career as a fiction and nonfiction editor first with T.Y. Crowell moving later to G.P. Putnam's Sons. Paul has worked with the Cambridge University Press since 1992. Working principally in the area of dictionaries for English language learners, he was an early adherent of moving toward digital technology, piloting online dictionary development and forging relationships with app and online developers. Along the way he wrote several word books including "Which Word When?," and "The New American Dictionary of Difficult Words."

Paul's work with Cambridge University Press began as an offshoot of his lifelong love for travel-a love that was nurtured in his 20s with a trip to England and to Ghana, Africa, through the InterFuture program. Later, that same love for travel brought him and his family to Cambridge, England, where he first began working for CUP and also built enduring relationships with colleagues and friends.

Paul shared much of himself with colleagues, family, and friends, but he especially shared his exceptional passion for and knowledge of music. From his early brush with Lennie Tristano to his continued curiosity about disparate, evolving genres, he was an extraordinarily deep and attentive listener who encouraged those around him to listen in the same ways.

Paul is and will remain profoundly missed by his family, his friends, and the many others who were a part of his life. Those who are missing Paul are invited to donate to the PEN America Center (www.pen.org/donation or www.pen-international.org/support), the Jazz Foundation of America (www.jazzfoundation.org/memory_honor), or the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls (williemaerockcamp.org/support) in memory and celebration of his life.

A memorial celebration is being planned for a later date; details will be made available.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Heacock

14 Entries

Michelle Tokarczyk

October 16, 2025

Ten years after you've gone, I miss and think fondly of our times together. A ray has returned to the sun, but the warmth remains.

Kathleen Corley

October 17, 2020

To Carol and Tyler - Paul was such a truly kind, warm, witty man. I hope that living without his physical presence has gotten less painful day by day.

Michelle Tokarczyk

October 16, 2020

I often think of Paul when I am walking in the East Village or riding my bike around town. I so miss his wit, his caring, and his friendship.

Mike Donnelly

March 6, 2016

I worked with Paul a little bit, and only met him once in London a couple of years ago, but he was plainly a very smart and kind guy who really stood out with his sparkly-eyed enthusiasm & good humour. Everyone on our team was saddened to hear of his death, despite knowing him only a little. Reading the beautiful messages here, it's clear there's a lot to miss.

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Michelle Tokarczyk

November 1, 2015

In the days since Paul has died, I find that memories constantly flicker through my mind. Vacationing at Steve and Elise's, going to Orioles' games, New Year's Day parties. He was an exceptional person will will all dearly miss.

John Rounds

October 29, 2015

Paul was an amazing man. I will always remember his hearty laugh, his calm demeanor no matter what the challenge, his enthusiastic companionship on the softball diamond, and his deep appreciation for music. What a great guy.

Claudette Rodney

October 27, 2015

Gone too soon. Paul, you will forever be in our hearts.

Tom Hughes

October 23, 2015

When one picks a best man for a wedding, they're just choosing a good friend or least objectionable family member for that particular day. That feeling may not last for more than that day. Paul Heacock was the Best Man every day I knew him for more than 30 years. Wonderfully irreverent, and thus utterly irreplaceable.

Jon Rosen

October 23, 2015

Paul was a wonderful man. I will always remember his smile, his laugh and his great sense of humor. He will be missed by many.

Harold Anderson

October 23, 2015

Paul was my dear friend for more than 30 years. He and Carol lived in the adjacent apartment to us in the early 1980s. We met when I heard him whistling a Charlie Parker tune, flawlessly, in th hall and I surmised he must be a professional musician. We went on to share adventures and conversations, especially about music, until a few days before his death. I am happy to say that our conversations continue I can feel his presence when I play (especially the music he asked me for, or the tunes that seem to embody his "Paulness") and for me I expect his spirit will persist for the rest of my life and beyond. I love you, Paul.

Walter Friedman

October 23, 2015

One of the finest people I ever met, a great friend, and a heck of a third baseman, too. Your life was a blessing to us all.

Kathleen Corley

October 23, 2015

The planet is far worse without you in it, but those of us who knew you are much the better for having had you in our lives. I wish your journey out had been less arduous and that Carol and Tyler will be buoyed in the days ahead without you by the love of family and friends, and their memories of you.

Ken Kingery

October 22, 2015

Thanks Paul, I always enjoyed the times we had together.

Bill Preston

October 22, 2015

Thank you, Paul, for your generosity and support, for setting high standards and working to make your projects the best they could be without ever being unreasonable. Thanks for being your own person, always open and giving, for remaining cool in the face of increasing deadline pressure, most of all for your sense of humor, for not taking yourself or anyone else too seriously. You loved, among many other musicians, the music of John Coltrane. I recall how excited you, Andy Martin, and I were when a previously unreleased CD of his with Thelonious Monk came out while we were at the W. 20th Street office, how 'jazzed' we were to get it! In the liner notes to his masterpiece, A Love Supreme, Coltrane gives "thanks to all people of good will and good works the world over, for in the bank of life is not good that investment which surely pays the highest and most cherished dividends." Indeed. Cheers, Paul, you did good work, were one of the good ones. It was a real pleasure to know and work with you.

May all beings be peaceful,
may all beings be compassionate,
may all beings be free from suffering.
Om shanti.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results