HEFFERNAN, Gerald P. “Jerry”
Of Needham, Retired Lieutenant, Brookline Police Department and Boston College. He passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, April 1, 2024. Beloved husband of 57 years to Geraldine B. “Gerry” (Lynch) Heffernan. Jerry was born in Salem, Massachusetts to Margaret B. (Mulligan) Heffernan and John E. Heffernan. Jerry is survived by his children, Karen and Matthew Heffernan, Pamela Collings and her husband, John; and three grandchildren, Zachary Van Dyke and companion, Sarah Munoz, Robert and David Collings; and Shohum and Shirsho Sarkar, his special sports “buddies” from across the street, whom he considered his grandsons. Jerry is survived by his sisters, Sheila Dankese of South Weymouth and Brenda Popeo of Needham; brother-in-law, Michael Heavey of Walpole; and sister-in-law, Esther Heffernan (John) of Monterey; as well as many nieces and nephews, each of whom he told were his “favorite.” He was predeceased by his brothers, John, Paul and his wife, Dorothy; and sister, Jane Heavey; brother-in-law, David R. Lynch, retired Detective BPD; and brother-in-law, Robert Popeo.
Jerry attended Brookline High School, Class of 1956 and was a proud member of the 1954 undefeated football team, coached by Harry Downes and Ed Schluntz. He served in the U.S. Marines, active duty in the Far East, attended Northeastern University, where he studied Mechanical Engineering and received a Bachelor’s Degree from UMass Boston majoring in Sociology and Law Enforcement.
Jerry was a man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren more than anything in the world. They were the center of his universe. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was capable of reading at least two books a week.
A special thank you to his caregivers and many nurses from Hospice of the Good Shepherd, most especially the amazing Catherine and Jean Paul.
Visiting Hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, NEEDHAM, on Monday, April 8, from 4 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Avenue, Needham, on Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00am. Interment with Military Honors to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Needham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s name may be made to Steps to Success, P.O. Box 470421, Brookline, MA 02447 (https:// www.stepstosuccessbrookline.org/). To share a memory of Jerry, please visit www.eatonfuneralhomes.com
Eaton Funeral Home 781-444-0201