Maurice Henshaw Heiskell

Maurice Heiskell, born on May 25, 1931, passed away on January 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of service, dedication, and a life well lived.

Maurice was a proud graduate of McKinley Technical High School in Washington, D.C., Class of June 1949. After graduation, he began working for Gulf Oil Corporation as a gasoline service station attendant. In February 1951, during the Korean Conflict, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois and volunteered for aviation duty.

He attended Aviation Fundamentals School at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (N.A.T.T.C.) in Jacksonville, Florida, followed by Aviation Machinist's Mate School at N.A.T.T.C. in Millington, Tennessee, where he proudly graduated first in a class of 151. Maurice was subsequently stationed at Anacostia Naval Air Station in Washington, D.C., serving on the flight line as a plane captain on World War II-era propeller-driven aircraft. He later transferred aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway, where he performed aircraft maintenance duties and served in the ship's Master-at-Arms Force. He was honorably discharged in February 1955.

Following his military service, Maurice returned to civilian life and resumed work as a service station attendant for a Gulf Oil Corporation dealer. He later joined Western Electric Company as an installer of central telephone office switching equipment. After briefly resigning to pursue self-employment as an independent Gulf Oil dealer-and later trying his hand at direct sales in insurance and Fuller Brush products-Maurice returned to Western Electric in early 1961. There, he advanced to the highest hourly-rated position and, in December 1970, was promoted into management as a Product Quality Associate in the Quality Assurance Organization. Around 1980, he received another promotion to Product Quality Specialist. Maurice accepted an early retirement offer and retired on December 29, 1989, after 29 years of dedicated service.

Maurice was active in many organizations throughout his life, including the American Motorcycle Association (A.M.A.), the D.C. Ramblers Motorcycle Club of Fort Washington, Maryland, the National Horseshoe Pitching Association (N.H.P.A.), the American Bowling Congress (A.B.C.), and the Amateur Bowlers Tour. He was a member of the Glen Burnie, Maryland Moose Lodge, participated in pool leagues, and served as a team captain and player in the Association of Pool (T.A.P.) Pool League.

An enthusiastic competitor, Maurice earned many trophies, plaques, and awards while enjoying activities such as dirt track motorcycle racing and hill climbs, tenpin and duckpin bowling, horseshoe pitching, and pool. He was also an avid fisherman, hunter, and enjoyed playing golf.

Maurice Heiskell will be remembered for his strong work ethic, love of competition, and commitment to service, family, and community. His life reflected perseverance, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the pursuits he loved.