Rev. James Francis Heffernan, 86, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, died on Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Sunrise of Woodcliff Lake. He formerly resided in Poughkeepsie.
Born in Brooklyn on February 25, 1925, he was the son of Michael and Kathleen Garvey Heffernan. He attended Immaculate Conception Seminary and was ordained on June 3, 1950 in the Brooklyn Diocese where he served at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. In 1952, he entered the US Navy where he proudly served as a Chaplain for 14 years in Newport, RI, the Philippines, aboard the USS Piedmont, at the Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, in Palms, CA, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and Brooklyn. In 1966, he entered the US Army where he faithfully served in Columbia, SC, Vietnam, Fort Dix, NJ, and Landstuhl, Germany until his retirement in 1973. He then served as an Associate Pastor at Our Lady Help of Christians Church and St. Brigid's Church in Brooklyn, and as the VA Chaplain in East Northport.
Father Heffernan is survived by his sister, Kathleen Reilly of Wappingers Falls; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, John and Michael Heffernan, and Rev. Thomas A. Heffernan (Ret.Col.USAF).
Calling hours will be held on Friday from 6-8pm at the Feeney & Sons Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ and on Monday from 2-5pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10am at St. Martin de Porres Church, 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery with military honors.
For driving directions or to send the family an online condolence, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.