Obituary of Gerald J. Heffernan

Gerald J. “Jerry” Heffernan, age 78, beloved husband of Carol A. Wailonis Heffernan, died peacefully on February 15, 2018 at the CT Hospice, with his family by his side. Born in Derby on April 9, 1939, he was the son of the late Harold and Marion Hogan Heffernan. Jerry was a lifelong resident of Ansonia, Communicant of the Church of the Assumption, graduate of Ansonia High School and Fairfield University. Jerry was employed by the State of CT in various capacities. He retired from the Department of Public Utility Control in 2003 and remained an independent consultant to the department through 2009. Previously he held the position of Tax Commissioner for the Department of Revenue Services during the Ella T. Grasso Administration. He was passionate about politics and was appointed Chairman of the Democratic Party for the City of Ansonia during the 1970’s and remained an active member of the party throughout his life. Jerry loved sports. In particular the New York Yankees, New York Giants and UConn women's basketball team. He delighted in simple pleasures:  a day at the beach, a soft rye from Eddy’s Bake shop, a Roseland's sausage pie, a good book or a pinochle game.  He loved nothing more than dinner with his family, an outing with his grandkids, or a card game with his friends.  He never once passed up an ice cream sundae run. Jerry was kind, loyal, and fun. He was beloved by all who knew him.  In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, he was adored by his devoted daughters, Kathleen (Robert) Vissers of Killingworth, Marguerite Everett of Orange, and Laura (Carlos) da Fonte of Roxbury; his cherished grandchildren, Gerald and Claire Vissers; Kathleen, Gregory and Timothy Everett; and John and Elaina da Fonte; his sister Kathleen (Brad) Schwader of VT; and her four children Timothy, Maura, Billy and Sarah. Funeral Services will take place on Monday, February 19, 2018, at 10:00 AM from the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM in the Church of the Assumption, 61 North Cliff Street, Ansonia.  Interment will be private.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, February 18, 2018, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.  Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice http://www.hospice.com/donate/  Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com