James Heekin Jr.

HEEKIN--James Robson Jr., 82, of 41 Oblong Rd., Williamstown, MA died Monday, October 5, 2009 at North Adams Regional Hospital. He was born in Cincinnati, OH on October 30, 1926, son of James and Alice (Peters) Heekin. He attended Walnut Hills High School and later Williams College graduating in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jane Jessup Heekin and their four children, James R. Heekin III of Stamford, CT, Margaret Kensinger of State College, PA, Elizabeth Bartels of Williamstown, MA and Timothy Heekin of Manchester, VT. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his Irish Setter, Paddy. He enjoyed a most distinguished career in the advertising profession serving as president of Ogilvy and Mather in New York where he worked with the legendary ad man, David Ogilvy. He also served as president of Doyle Dane Bernbach Advertising, and later as a partner in his own firm, Canter, Achenbaum, Heekin. In 1985 he and his wife, Jannie, returned to live in Williamstown full time. He launched James Heekin Associates, Inc., a marketing firm serving many Berkshire businesses, including The Orchards, City Savings Bank, Sweetwood, Jiminy Peak and the North Adams Regional Hospital. He also became very involved in developing a leadership curriculum program at Williams College. He was a Director of the Roper Public Opinion Research Center, a member of the South Williamstown Association Board and of the St. Patrick's Parish Council. Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10:30am at St. Patrick's Church, Williamstown, MA.