New York, New York
Man With Many Sides
Mary Heffernan's spirit just left her on the day of the attacks. One of her sons, John Heffernan, 37, a firefighter on the Lower East Side, was missing at the World Trade Center. Five years earlier, her son Patrick had died in a construction accident.
Another son, Michael Heffernan, 36, also a firefighter, looked for his big brother. He searched for weeks. Their sister, Deirdre Heffernan, 32, stayed with their 73-year-old mother. A fourth brother, Brian, 34, is a New York City police officer.
John Heffernan was a man with many sides. One moment, he was in a firefighter's uniform, rushing into burning buildings to save lives at the risk of his own. In the next, he was on stage in a black T-shirt and jeans, playing rhythm guitar in a punk rock band, the Bullys, that he helped found. In another, he was a devoted husband to his wife, Lori, and a devoted father to his 9-year-old daughter, Samantha.
A crew sifting through the wreckage at ground zero discovered John Heffernan's body on Oct. 2, his wife's 31st birthday, Deirdre Heffernan said.
We were so sorry to hear about John's passing. We remember him playing guitar and his happiness at that. He will always be in our hearts. From the Peitler family- Johnny,Liz and ,Betty and family.
Elizabeth Peitler
September 11, 2025 | Woodhaven, NY | Acquaintance
My heart sank when I learned of John's passing on that horrible September day. I am wondering if he/you could be my cousins as my grandfather and his brother lived in NYC in the 1930s-40s. The family's roots are in Peterborough, Ontario Canada. I hope you have found ways to keep your memories alive while inching into each day. With condolences, Elizabeth Heffernan Rochester NY
Elizabeth
January 14, 2025 | Other
I didn't know you John but I did know Lori and Samantha and each year I think about that devastating day 20 years ago. You and everyone are true hero's. Never to be forgotten for you all did! God Bless!
Sheril Holt
September 11, 2021 | Brooklyn, NY | Friend
My wife JoAnne and I visited Ireland in 2004. Our visit was in Honor of our fallen FF on that Black September day. We started with a visit to Kinsdale’s restaurant the “White House”. This restaurant has a beautiful and Honorable display of our fallen Fire Fighters and some of the items from the Twin Towers. This led us to a plot of land, just outside of Kinsdale where you will find trees planted in memorie of the fallen and each tree has a picture and letters hanging from the branches. This...
James E. Heffernan
September 11, 2020 | Family
Today I rembered you.
I have never met you, but I carried your name with pride today.
I carried your name with me as part of the commemoration of the fateful day that claimed your life.
I am a firefighter in New Zealand and did a double assent of the Auckland Skytower in your name.
Rest easy
Robin Sneddon
September 11, 2019 | Gisborne New Zealand, UM | Acquaintance
Today is the 16th anniversary of the day that we lost you. I will NEVER FORGET our phone conversations when we were trying to book shows together...I will NEVER FORGET the smile on your face while you performed....I will NEVER FORGET that thick accent in your voice........I will NEVER FORGET the phone call telling me that you were missing....I will NEVER FORGET that awful call when you were found. I will never, ever forget the human being that you were as you walked this earth. I will give no...
Kaya Chaos
September 11, 2017 | Hedgesville, WV
As a teacher in Southern California, the world stood still on 9-11. The next several days after this tragedy, the fear lessened in my students and their families. Our days were spent trying to understand the act and the hatred that it expressed.
After school on my drive home, I would sob buckets of tears for the people that were in the towers and the responders. I obsessed on how 3000 people woke up on 9-11 and had no inkling that their lives would end that day.
Several years...
Sharon Heffernan Dale
September 11, 2013 | Lancaster, CA
Johnny we all miss you so much. I had no idea this page existed or I would have done this much sooner. I pray for you and your family and I know you hear them. I always think and smile about the many fun times we had. May god bless you and keep you close to him in heaven .
Marylou
September 11, 2013 | Rockaway Beach, NY
Last year my daughter went on a mission trip to New York. She purchased a bracelet for me from the gift shop at what will be the WTC Memorial. John's name is on that bracelet. Though I never knew John I feel close to him each time I wear it. Now I can put a face with his name. He is an angel and a hero. May God bless his family.
Ginger Thompson
September 09, 2012 | Watertown, TN