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BORN
1938
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
A. Heffernan Obituary
February 1, 1938 - January 18, 2022
Fresno, California - Fr. Joe Heffernan was born February 1, 1938 to Andrew J. and Mary K. (Hurley) Heffernan in Chicago, Illinois.
Fr. Joe's parents and grandparents were South Dakota pioneers of Irish ancestry. He enjoyed family reunions in Milbank, South Dakota.
He also enjoyed a year studying in Rome and traveling in Europe. He managed to visit ancestral homes in Ireland and a number of Irish friends.
Fr. Joe loved all the parishes he served. The staff and parishioners, many of whom became close and dear friends.
Parishes served by Fr. Joe include: St. Aloysius, Tulare; St. Anne's, Porterville; St. Francis, Bakersfield; St. Mary's, Taft; St. Anne's, Ridgecrest; St. Joseph's, Los Banos; Holy Rosary, Hilmar; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bakersfield; St. Therese, Fresno; Holy Spirit, Fresno; and St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, Fresno.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mildred and his nephew Pat Sheridan.
He is survived by his sister, Fran; Pat's family; niece, Peggy Carlson, nephews, Joey and Danny Sheridan and their families, numerous cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at The Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Priest Retirement Fund, c/o The Diocese of Fresno, 1550 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93703-3788
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for A. Heffernan
Frank Ramos
January 24, 2024
Joe: God bless you our SJM HS classmate Priest
Bryan Bird
May 11, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe several years ago when I was his home health physical therapist for a few weeks. I just learned of his passing. I really enjoyed working with him. What a great sense of humor! When he learned of my Irish heritage, he gifted me some beautiful Irish coasters, which I still treasure.
My condolences to Fran. Rest in peace, Joe!
Frank Ramos
March 4, 2022
God bless you my 55´ San Joaquin Memorial HS classmate. Rest In Peace. Good to have known you.
Ivy Nannini and Matthew Hei
February 2, 2022
Father Joseph was a wonderful, kind father with a great sense of humor! We met him when he served at St. Therese's parish here in Fresno. We will miss him immensely! God Bless and keep him!
John and Breda O'Flynn
February 2, 2022
Our sincere condolences to Fran and family and also to Cellie. Joe had become like family to us here in Ireland and we looked forward to his visits with Fran and Sr Kay. He had time for everyone down to the smallest child. He will be missed by everyone but will always be remembered. Rest in peace Joe.
Debi and Mike Shults
February 1, 2022
My sincere condolences to Fran and family,
Father Joe's kindness and grace in this family will truly be missed, but never forgotten. He is a true Legacy to the entire Hurley family. May you Rest in Peace cousin
Pat and Anne Keehan
February 1, 2022
Sincere Condolences to Fran and family and Sr. Cellie also. We will never forget Joe. We are so glad he was introduced into our lives when he came to Ireland all those years ago. We appreciate all the times, both good and sad that he shared with us. Such a true and noble friend he has been. Rest in Peace Joe..
Jody Pishione
January 31, 2022
We will miss Fr. Heffernan and his dry sense of humor!! He was always fun to have when he filled in for Fr. Michael!!
Bryan and Kathleen Meehan
January 30, 2022
Our sincere sympathy to Fran and Family also Cellie, we will sadly miss our very dear friend Fr Joe, we first met him in Ireland in the early seventies and he has been part of our family ever since, we have very happy memories of the many holidays we spent with Fr Joe and Fran both here and in California, May He Rest in Peace. Bryan and Kathleen
Mary Enright
January 30, 2022
Numerous people in Ireland are sad at the death of Fr Joe. We had good times and memories to treasure - you will not be forgotten, Joe. We send sincere condolences to the family.
Elizabeth Starr
January 29, 2022
We offer our sincere condolences to FR. Joe's family. We enjoyed it when he said masses at holy spirit church in Fresno. He will be missed!
Marie Sweeney, Limerick Ireland
January 28, 2022
Sincere condolences to Fran and all Fr. Joe´s family. I have very happy memories of our time with Fr. Joe. His friendship to my brother and cousin was invaluable over the years. Rest in peace Fr. Joe, may the Lord welcome you to heaven with open arms.
Pat and Karen O Dwyer. Co. Limerick. Ireland
January 28, 2022
Our very sincere condolences Fran on the death of your wonderful brother, Fr. joe He was a great friend, priest and human being. May the Lord reward him for his care and kindness to others. Thinking of you, Pat, Sr. Cellie and all his family and friends at this very sad time. His life's work is done - done well! May his gentle soul rest in peace.
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