James Edward Heffernan

James Edward Heffernan

James Edward Heffernan was born on September 29, 1934, in Chicago, IL and died on March 8, 2023. He grew up in Wilmette, IL, and attended Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, WI, which was a boarding school for boys, graduating from this fine school in 1952. His father would drive 400 miles to watch him play football at the school. From this time to the date of his death, Jim was involved in helping others and in public service.

JIM LOVED THE USA - In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was trained in San Diego and went to fight in the Korean War for thirteen months. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in 1961, and served in Cleveland, OH; in Chicago, aboard the USCG Cutter (USCGC) Arundal, in Duluth, MN; aboard the USCGC Woodrush; in Ketchikan, AK, in Search and Rescue Operations; and on Governor's Island, in New York City, aboard the USCGC Spencer. In 1978, he retired from the Coast Guard, after serving in the military for over 24 years. Since his retirement, he has served as a volunteer for numerous Veterans Services: He was Commandant of the Marine Corps League, Department of Montana in 1995 (which he helped organize in Helena, MT, in 1978), a representative for the Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services, Commander of the American Legion, Post 2 of Lewis and Clark, representative for the Montana Veterans Affairs Cemetery Committee and later, was involved in the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard entrusted with the burying veterans at Fort Harrison and other cemeteries throughout Montana. In his later years, Jim was involved as a hospice volunteer and helped many a veteran through that difficult time. Jim has always had a compassionate ear for veterans to find out how they were doing and listening to them talk about personal matters, either by phone or visiting them in the hospital.

JIM LOVED LAW ENFORCEMENT - After his return from serving in Korea, Jim served as a police officer in Kenilworth, Wilmette, and Evanston, IL. During his time in the Coast Guard, he was transferred to Ketchikan in 1968, and was prominent in creating the Search and Rescue program. In 1972, he was transferred to Governor's Island and was stationed on the USCGC Spencer, where one of his favorite memories was that of the Cadet Cruise in which several young cadets and the Spencer crew traveled to the countries of Ireland, England, Scotland and surrounding countries. After the Spencer was decommissioned, Jim became supervisor of the military Police Security Force, which he organized and then coordinated a Basic Law Enforcement Training course for newly assigned military police personnel, including law enforcement personnel from New York City. While on Governor's Island, he also served as small arms instructor and range officer, instructing both military and civilian law enforcement personnel. After moving to Helena, MT, in 1978, he became a sworn reserve deputy for the Lewis and Clark Sheriff's Office. In 1981, he became the Police Chief in East Helena. As Chief, he started the police reserves for East Helena, along with a police training program for both regular and reserve police officers. Jim also served as a sheriff's deputy in Phillipsburg, MT. From 1995 to 2001, he was Sergeant at Arms for the senate during the legislative sessions in Montana. Although he unsuccessfully ran for Lewis and Clark County Sheriff, in 1994, and in 1998, he knew this was not God's plan for him.

JIM LOVED CHILDREN - While in Alaska, he organized the Ketchikan Youth Football League. After moving to Helena, he organized a fundraiser for a young boy with heart problems. Years later, he organized a fundraiser for a young gal with severe kidney problems. Jim continued his love in helping children and the community and in 1978, he organized and ran the first Toys for Tots program in the area, delivering about 300 toys to needy children that first year. He became coordinator for this wonderful program and served in this capacity for 30 years. He was so focused, committed and dedicated that the National Toys for Tots organization honored him as National Coordinator in 2004. Although he relinquished the title of coordinator of this fine organization in early 2000, he was always involved in some capacity with this program until his death.

During his later years, Jim and JoAnne loved to travel. In 2004, they traveled to Ireland and spent three weeks enjoying the Irish culture and traditions. In 2014, they drove over 7,500 miles to various locations in the US and were able to see some unique majestic structures, museums and also had the opportunity to visit relatives and friends in the south, the east coast and in the mid-west. From 2018 to 2020, they spent a few winter months each year in Lake Havasu, AZ, enjoying the warmer weather.

Jim loved hearing bagpipe music and Irish rebel tunes. Jim was so very proud of his Irish heritage and loved going to many Irish festivities. He enjoyed target shooting with his son Kevin and loved flying his flags daily, weather permitting. He loved his grandchildren, telling them numerous stories about his life, which they enjoyed immensely. Jim loved to say on multiple occasions: "Semper Fi" (He served in the Coast Guard, but his soul was that of a Marine.) Another famous quote of Jim's was: "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead" which exemplified his spirit in life. He had the most contagious laugh which made anyone feel good just listening to it.

Jim was a man with integrity, commitment and dedication to all the above mentioned activities. He was a steadfast father, loving husband and a faithful and loyal friend. While serving in Duluth, Minnesota, he met and fell in love with his future wife, JoAnne, whom he was devotedly married to for 56 years.

Jim touched and helped many people while on this earth. We will miss you terribly, Jimmy, and until we meet again, God is holding you in the palm of His hands!

Survivors include his wife, JoAnne; son, Kevin and wife Dyana of Great Falls, MT, (grandchildren: Mitchell, Aiden and Kendall); daughters: Kathleen, of West Seattle, WA, Colleen O'Leary (Sean), of Burlington, WA, (grandchildren: Patrick and Ann O'Leary); sister-in-law, Carol Heffernan of Glenview, IL; nieces: Patricia Rowan (Patrick) of Chevy Chase, MD, (grandnieces: Evie and Vivi), Mary LaPata (Chris) of Charlotte, nc, (grandnieces and nephews: Dominic, Ava, Gabriella and Michael), and Jeannie McHugh (Alan) of Austin, TX. Jim dearly missed his dad, Edward Heffernan, and his brother, Patrick Heffernan, who preceded him in death.

A Viewing will be held at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, followed by a Vigil/Wake at 6:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass is set for 12:00 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2023, at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W Riggs, East Helena, followed by Burial with Military Honors at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. A reception will be held in the Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy or donation for Toys for Tots at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.

Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jim.