John E. Heffernan III of Monterey, and formerly of Enfield, Connecticut, passed away Jan. 20, 2019, at home, surrounded by his family, from glioblastoma.
John was born Feb. 10, 1934, in Peabody, the son of John E. Heffernan Jr. and Margaret (Mulligan) Heffernan. He graduated from Brookline High School in 1952 and from Northeastern University in 1957. He married Esther Terni June 10, 1957. Together, they had three children: John, Colleen and Tim. John served in the U.S. Army in the Nike Missile System and as part of NATO in Verdun, France. He was employed for many years as an underwriter for Traveler’s Insurance Company and later for SBLI.
John was a stalwart supporter of his children and positively delighted in his grandchildren. Throughout his life, he enjoyed athletic activities (from playing high school and college football and basketball to recreational bowling, softball, running, biking, cross-country skiing, and golfing) and was an avid sports fan. He had a lifelong love of music, especially jazz, bluegrass and opera. He was a devoted crossword puzzle solver, enhanced by his great memory and fund of general knowledge. He spent many hours in retirement woodworking and building rock walls. Many are the recipients of his bread boards, tables, birdhouses and window mirrors. John never hesitated to lend a hand to others and was much loved by all who knew him.
Over the last two months of his illness, his family was struck by his courage and equanimity in facing this last enormous health challenge. From his fall just before Thanksgiving to the discovery of the tumor in his brain, the decision to have the surgery to remove the tumor and finally the decision to forgo treatment when left with disability and poor quality of life following the surgery, he was resolute and clear in expressing his wishes to go home. Over the course of the illness, he was touched by all the support he received from friends and family, humbly amazed and pleased by all the calls, visits and cards. He felt loved and blessed and he was not afraid.
The family wishes to sincerely thank HospiceCare in the Berkshires for the compassionate care and support during the last stage of John’s illness.
He is survived by his wife, Esther; son John and wife Dawn Heffernan; daughter Colleen and husband Mark Robinson; son Tim; grandchildren Aidan Heffernan, Gain Robinson, Sarah Robinson and Paul Heffernan; sisters Sheila Dankese and Brenda Popeo; brother Gerald Heffernan; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents, his brother Paul Heffernan and his sister Jane Heavey.
At John’s request, there will be no formal services. The family will receive visitors Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by remembrances from 1:30 to 2 p.m. at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St. Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Monterey Library, P.O. Box 173, Monterey, MA 01245 or Solstice Farm/Beth Timlege, P.O. Box 731, Monterey, MA 01245. To send remembrances to the family, go to http://www.finnertyandstevens.com.
