William Heffron Obituary

William Conrad Heffron

AGE: 64 • formerly of Spotswood

William Conrad Heffron, 64, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was a devoted husband, a beloved father and grandfather. He was born to the late Conrad and Marjorie (Lettau) Heffron on January 15, 1949 in New Brunswick and was raised in Spotswood. He was a union carpenter with Local #1006 for thirty-five years before retiring. He was a skilled carpenter who had built many homes in the Monroe Township area. William was an active member of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church where he served as Junior Warden before he and his wife Mary retired to New Hampshire.

He was predeceased by his father, Conrad; his mother, Marjorie, and his brother, James, a Vietnam casualty. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary (Cathcart) Heffron; his two sons, William Heffron Jr., James Heffron and his wife Elizabeth; his daughter, Caroline Snyder and her husband Jonathon; five grandchildren, Victoria, Ella, Keegan, Aidan, and Lillian; his sister, Evelyn Tornquist; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 15 from 1:00-2:00pm at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Spotswood. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm, and interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William's name to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 505 Main St., Spotswood, NJ 08884.

Published by Home News Tribune from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Heffron

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Hello Caroline! I see that according to the email I recieved that the connection to this website will soon be cut off. But that doesn't mean that we stop thinking about your dad. I loved him, he was more like a brother then just a friend. Time and circumstance, not to mention geography, separated us over the years, but I will never forget "Heffy" and I will remember him until the good Lord decides that it is time that we get together again. Until that time, your dad will live on in my heart. God bless you and your family sweetheart, and say hello to mom and your brothers for me.

March 10, 2014

You loved this time of year in Florida, Spring Training time. I miss you so much.

March 5, 2014

Getting ready to celebrate the boys 7th Birthday and wishing you were here with us. I miss you...

February 21, 2014

In remembrance of a wonderful man who touched so many lives. Love you Daddy

Caroline Snyder

February 6, 2014

Last Super Bowl I was sitting in your hospital room watching it with you. Missing you so much today and everyday.

Caroline Snyder

February 2, 2014

Happy Birthday Daddy. Missing you today and always. Love and miss you greatly.

Caroline Snyder

January 15, 2014

Although you have been gone for almost 9 months, I still think of you and how much the world is missing without you being here. I hope that Betsy and the rest of your beautiful family are doing well. You are surely a tough loss for many. Hope your journey is great.

Jim Champion

September 7, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jack Coppel

February 24, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

February 24, 2013

Heffy and I go way back! I can't remember when he was not my friend? Time always look's back fonder, but as I look back, the memories are like in that movie, Where the kids have that perfect summer day, I think it was called Stand by me? Being there at the service's that day took me back! Back to the town of my childhood, and back to many of the people who grew up there too! It was a sad day, as we morialized our friend, but it was also a good day? One that Billy would have liked! Old friends together, laughs, memories, good times! I loved him like a brother, and I will miss him! Good bye old friend.

Ed Schneider

February 22, 2013

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February 22, 2013

The day my Dad told me about his health, I was devastated. I decided to start a list of things I wanted to remember about him so I would be able to help my kids know who Grandfather was. The list started with funny quirks, love of food, his laugh, his smile and his beautiful loving green eyes. Then I started to notice the list was shaping into who he was, his character. And in the last days of his life I was reminded of his strength and the love he had for his family. He gave us everything in life, and in the end he gave us the greatest gift, his prayer. I will be forever lost without my Father and I will always be his little girl. Love you always and forever Daddy.

Caroline Snyder

February 22, 2013

James Heffron

February 22, 2013

James Heffron

February 22, 2013

James Heffron

February 22, 2013

The words I spoke at my Dad's funeral:

I stand before you today to celebrate the life of my father. For me to recount all the memories I have of him might take us a few days if not weeks. Let me just say: I loved my father.

My father had many fine attributes: his laid back attitude, a way of welcoming people into his home, his generosity, and a very strong work ethic. He taught these to me not through words but through his actions.
I try everyday to live by the values and principles he lived by: to take pride in my work, to care for and support my family, and most importantly to spend quality time with my wife and kids. He always had time for us: to coach little league, to bring us on memorable family vacations, taking us up to the lake in NH, and one of my fondest memories--taking us out on the boat to water ski (which for anybody who has taken kids on a boat to water ski—it is a saintly task).

My father left this world at the age of 64. To many this seems unfair. It just doesn't seem to be enough time. But as I began to think about how a man's life is measured I realized that it is not by minutes, hours and days. A man's legacy has little to do with time and everything to do with love and happiness. When looked at it in this light, it becomes very evident that my father lived a very long and full life. He shared the love of his wife for 44 years--a feat many never see. He was a terrific father to 3 children. His house was always full with grandchildren, relatives, and friends--He lived a very long life.

People find happiness in many different ways. Any of you who knew my dad knew he was a gifted carpenter and very generous with his time. I think it made him happy to help people. I'm sure he has helped many of you here today. Whether it was building a house, putting on an addition, finishing off a basement, or even just hanging a picture. He found happiness in sharing his skills.

As is evident by the attendance here today: my Dad touched many lives and lived a long life of love and happiness.

James Heffron

February 22, 2013

It is a sad day. Billy and I worked together and became close friends. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.

Russ Jeffray.

February 18, 2013

My condolences to Betsy and the family. Billy became a great friend in 5th grade. I have never forgotten his pool-playing skill- he was the only person I knew who owned his own cue. Bill was a great friend. I'm thankful for the wonderful memories he gave me. May he rest in peace! Tom

Tom Champion

February 16, 2013

The death of a family member or close friend is always an event which is not only a sad and difficult time, but also one of individual and collective reflection. When someone that we love dies it can feel as if the loss will never be overcome and we fear we will never personally be as complete again. At such times many choose to mourn in private and bear the burden alone. However, like births, birthdays and weddings, funerals are cultural rituals which in the company of friends and family we can explore the intermingling of emotions and memories to share our experiences. This sharing allows all of us, whether intimate or merely an acquaintance, to collect these personal pieces to the puzzle of our loved ones life. This can help us gain a more complete picture or at the very least give us a different perspective to see this person we cared so much for. Under the best of conditions this will actually share the burden of the loss, enhance our emotional strength as well as provide a sense of peace which can allow us to then live our own lives more completely. This can actually be another gift a loved one can give to us.
Even though Bill has been a big part of my life, my experience does not and cannot define his life fully.
I would like to share some of my own short memories with all of you so that it may add to yours.
My William Conrad Heffron has been with me for as far back as my memory goes. I do not actually remember him dating my sister Mary, only that he was always ‘there'. There are images in my mind, whether actual photos or memories that I stitch together to create my composite of Bill:
him smiling broadly, all confidence, full of life, lean, young, handsome, towering over me;
laughing full heartedly, slightly awkwardly at his own jokes that made you want to join in his joy;
showing up at our house in Lanoka Harbour quite regularly looking for Mary;
me not yet a teen at Bill and Mary's wedding reception in his father and mothers house, shirt tail out, with Bill nearly holding me up with me under the influence for the very first time;
driving in his truck on early summer mornings sitting between him and his father sipping coffee and eating buttered hard-rolls while they banter back and forth over and through me, not really arguing about what should happen during the days work, but just verbally warming up for the inevitable barbs that only fathers and sons can share on a job site;

watching as he would look at a vacant site, start calculating in his head how many 2x4s, how much concrete and how many sheets of ply-wood were needed for the house that would be standing fully formed before the end of summer and I returned to university; my calculus and algebra could not keep up with his mental maths;
before the age of mobile phones, he would drop me off, giving me my instructions and off he would go to hardware stores, other errands and other sites, and back again to take me to the nearest deli for lunch;
the many visits to the mother-in-law where he would find the most comfortable chair to rest his eyes for just a bit;
cheering in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium for Mattingly, Munson or Reggie to bring the pennant home;
riding on the boat on Lake Winnepasaukee, his eyes scanning the water, squinting into the sun, the face now full with white beard and what the next generation of Cathcart's, Heffrons, Lambs et al would take as the constant of their very own Father Christmas;
and from behind the bearded face would always beam that smile and out would come that familiar laugh;
This past summer was a special time for making memories...my sons at an age to forever remember their time with Bill was another gift; having my boys, Susan and Dan share our special time together as a family is something we are all grateful for;
in my memories he always seemed a gentleman, wise, willing to share his experience and knowledge;
For me, I will miss not being in NJ, at St. Peters because I feel a real sense of ‘not being there'....for my sister, nephews and niece as well as our entire family. I would also love to listen and hear the many stories others would speak of about their experiences with Bill. The shared laughter and tears that engrave such occasions upon ones mind and soul.
It would be something to help fill out the spaces between those moments he and I shared during our times together. I feel very fortunate and happy to have known Bill, to have loved him, to have shared some of our lives. It was all way too quick; never often enough; much too brief.
William Conrad Heffron, Bill, Billy, Big Bill, Uncle Bill... Husband, Father, brother, son, friend and simply ‘Grandfather' ....throughout a life, if you are blessed, you get to be something and someone to many people. Bill was a very blessed man. My Bill Heffron, my brother in law, my friend, was always there.

Rich Cathcart

February 16, 2013

I wanted to start by saying God bless Billy and his family, then realized he was blessed! First as a son, brother an friend. then husband, dad and grandfather. All along the way he touched our lives and he will be missed. we too have been blessed by knowing him and our hearts and prayers go out to his family.

Pat jean Daly

February 15, 2013

Our prayers are with you and your family Betsy. Bill was a wonderful person always had a smile and kind word. He was a good fisherman and neighbor. We will miss him.

Lee and Sherry Solheid

February 15, 2013

my deepest condolence to the Heffron family

richard rombalski

February 14, 2013

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Duke & Sun Chung

February 14, 2013

Shocked and saddened by the news I have just read this morning. Very fond and precious memories of 'Uncle Billy'. One of life's true gentlement. Our thoughts are with Mary and family. Anne, Sam and Jordan Robinson xx

Anne Robinson

February 14, 2013

What can you say about Billy? He was such a great guy who I remember from Spotswood. He had such an impish smile that warmed your heart. We drank a few beers together at the Goal Post in South River before he was 21! W e also did some business together and he was always a gentleman.

Earl Bennett

February 14, 2013

Billy may no longer be with us, but he leaves a legacy of homes built, a wonderful thriving family, and indelible memories of his generosity and kindness. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Zach Drozd

February 13, 2013

Thinking of you all, God Bless.

xoxo
McKenzie and Dustin

February 13, 2013

My God bless you and your family. I had the privilege of attending school with Billy. A friend to all, and always a smile on his face He is definitely one of those people who you don't forget. Sorry for your loss.

Sharon (Bodak) Sherwood

February 13, 2013

Prayers to my family...I take comfort in all of our family memories. Uncle Billy will always have a special place in my heart. Love and prayers to my Aunt and cousins xoxo

Deborah Riley

February 13, 2013

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