Gerald P. "Jerry" Heffernan

Gerald P. Heffernan

May 11, 1938 – April 1, 2024

Gerald P. Heffernan “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 Moniz, 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, 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, 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 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Joseph Church, 1360 Highland Ave, 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/)