Francis A. Heery

1938 - 2021

Francis A. Heery
Francis A. Heery, 83, of Lehighton, passed peacefully in his sleep from this world to the next on Christmas Eve morning, Friday, Dec. 24. He was the loving husband of Catherine (Schwarz) Heery. On Saturday, Nov. 20, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniv-ersary.
He taught for 34 years in Rising Sun School District in Maryland, Oley Valley School District and Lehighton Area School District, until his retirement in 1993.
Born in Slatington on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 1938, he was a son of the late Joseph and Myrtle Ann (Evans) Heery.
He was a graduate of SS. Peter and Paul School, Lehighton, Mauch Chunk Catholic High School and East Stroudsburg State College, he earned his master's degree from Penn State University.
As a longtime member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Lehighton, he was active in parish life through the years, serving as Eucharistic Minister and president of the Cemetery Board. He also served as a member of parish council and the Parochial School Board.
He was appointed Carbon County chairman of Corporate and Professional phase of the Catholic Charities drive for the Diocese of Allentown by the late Bishop Joseph McShea in 1978 and continued under Bishop Thomas Welsh until 1988.
In addition to the church, he was also very active in the Knights of Columbus, joining in 1957. He served Damien Council No. 598 as Grand Knight from 1970-1974. Under his term, Damien Council televised Masses for the shut-ins on Blue Ridge Cable and also broadcast the recitation of the Rosary on WYNS and the Stations of the Cross on WLSH radio stations.
Over the years, he also served Damien Council as Trustee, Family Director and also Pro-Life Essay Contest chairman for the Council and for Carbon County. He was elected Faithful Navigator of Lafayette Assembly No. 971 from 1972-74. He also served as Faithful Navigator Comptroller of Monsignor Agnello J. Angelini Assembly No. 971. He was District Deputy from 1974-78, and was elected Chairman of the Board of District Deputies from 1977-78.
In 2003, he and his family earned the distinction of "Family of the Year" for District No. 29.
In addition to serving his parish and the Knights of Columbus, he was also active in his community over the years as a member of American Legion Post 314 Home Association, Lehighton Elks Lodge No. 1284, and the Alex Campbell Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He was elected president of the Palmerton Democratic Club from 1974-75.
He was also a lifelong Turtle.
In addition to model railroading, he loved cheering on his grandsons at their various sports games over the years. He also was an avid Notre Dame Fighting Irish supporter and fan.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Michael, and his wife, Erica, of Lehighton, and beloved grand-pup, Vincent van Gogh, and Christopher, and his wife, Gretchen, of Lehighton, and treasured grandsons, Joseph, Ryan, Sean, and Stephen.
He was also predeceased by a brother Adelord of Lehighton; and two sisters, Clare Dorsey of Danielsville and Ann Patricia Sensinger of Whitehall.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton, with the Rev. Christopher Zelonis officiating. Interment, parish cemetery, Lehighton. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, 190 S. Fourth St., Lehighton.