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Thomas Heafey Obituary
December 14, 1934 - December 17, 2021
Thomas Francis Heafey, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away on December 17, 2021, in San Francisco.
Tom was born to William and Catherine O'Neill Heafey on December 14, 1934, in Oakland, California and raised on Ordway Street in Albany. A devout Catholic, he graduated from St. Joseph's Grammar School and St Mary's College High School, class of 1953. After, serving as an Army medic and graduating from San Francisco State University with his teaching and counseling credentials, Tom taught at A.P. Giannini Middle School, Woodrow Wilson High School and J. Eugene McAteer High School. When he retired from San Francisco Public Schools, he became the college counselor at Cornerstone Academy and guided many first-generation college students.
Tom was proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed fishing, traveling throughout California, reading, debating politics and spending time with his grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by Diana, his wife of 56 years. He is survived by his sons Michael, his wife Nancy and their sons Matthew and William, William, his wife Julie-Anne and their daughters Madeleine and Charlotte, and Brian, his wife Jennifer and their sons Luke and John. He is also survived by his sister Denise Heafey Wiard (Tom) of El Sobrante, cousin Adm. Walter M. Locke, Jr (Rosemary) of McLean, Virginia and many friends and family. He was predeceased by his sister Patricia Heafey Deatherage.
A private service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco, California.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Heafey
5 Entries
Marlene Reyes (Martinez)
July 3, 2024
I am so sorry for your loss. He was my high school(J Eugene McAteer) history teacher. He was one of the good ones. Class was always interesting, fun and educational.
Les Schlesinger
December 26, 2021
Tom was a great colleague at McAteer. He was always looking to make social studies interesting for the students. Among the things he turned me on to was the program Theatre in Education TIE where professional actors participated with students in amazing simulations. I remember Tom fondly.
Kim Rooker
December 26, 2021
Mr Heafey was my favorite teacher growing up in San Francisco. I was in his social studies / history class at Giannini and the way he explained and got us to think was remarkable. I´m sure there are many more students that feel the same.
Derrick Wong, Principal of Cornerstone Academy
December 22, 2021
On behalf of Cornerstone Church and Cornerstone Academy, it was an honor and privilege to have known Tom. He guided the high school's first graduates and he always said there was the right college for everyone. He was always an advocate for the students and a supporter of the faculty. Even after retirement from Cornerstone, he continued his tradition of bringing warm apple cider at Christmas time for the staff. I offer my condolences to his family and I picture him sitting on a river bank in heaven trying to catch fish.
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Ann Saldubehere
December 22, 2021
I was one of Mr. Heafey´s students at Giannini (decades ago). I fondly remember his enthusiastic teaching style. Thank you, sir. R.I.P.
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