James J. Heaney Jr.

YARMOUTHPORT — James J. Heaney Jr., of Yarmouthport, formerly of Wellesley, died on Jan. 17, 2009. He was 86.

Mr. Heaney was born on Jan. 11, 1923, in Roxbury, to the late James and Lillian (Wilkinson) Heaney.

Mr. Heaney was a decorated veteran of World War II, having served with the Air Force during D-Day in Normandy. He was particularly proud of his association with the P-61 Black Widow. He was a member of the Wellesley VFW and marched in many of the local veterans parades.

Mr. Heaney worked as a purchasing agent for Raytheon in Waltham for many years until his retirement to Yarmouthport in 1978. He will be remembered as a meticulous landscaper, who enjoyed woodworking, fishing and hunting.

Mr. Heaney will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 59 years, Elizabeth H. (Hamilton) Heaney; and his children, Diana G. Denham of Framingham, Marilyn H. Joyce of Orleans, and James S. Heaney of Framingham. He was a doting grandfather of eight grandchildren and one great-grandson, who affectionately called him "Bam Bam."

Mr. Heaney was the brother of Lillian Gallant of Wellesley, Kathleen D. Hogan, Mary E. Heaney, both of Needham, and Richard W. Heaney of Natick, and the late Arthur W. and Frederick Heaney.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at 2 p.m., in the Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St. (Route 16), Wellesley Hills. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment is in St. Mary's Cemetery, Needham.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod & The Islands Inc., 712 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.