Wm. Heffernan

HEFFERNAN, Wm. PAUL. 81, of Wakefield, MA, formerly of Somerville and Medford, after a long illness, on October 11, 2021.

Paul is survived by his spouse of 57 years, the former Eileen Hooley of Arlington, three sons, Tom and his wife Alisa, of San Diego; Dave and his wife Marianne, of Wakefield; and Bob and his wife Amanda, of North Reading. Paul was "Papa" to seven wonderful and loving grandchildren; Katie, Amy, Fiona, Haven, Erin, Brian and Hudson. He was preceded in death by his sister Jeane and brother-in-law Peter Beisheim. Also survived by two sisters; Elizabeth Beisheim, of Norton, Mary Cashins and her husband Bob, of Reading; and Jerry Sykora, of Marietta, GA, plus numerous nieces and nephews, and a special niece Peggy Kelly and her husband David and their two daughters Lauren Kelly Chartier and Lindsey Kelly.

The son of William "Doc" and Margaret "Peg," Paul was a graduate of St. Clement High School, The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and the University of Rhode Island. As a Commissioned Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service, Paul enjoyed a distinguished career of 25 years, rising through the ranks to Director Grade 0-6, Captain. During his varied career assignments in health-related research, Paul developed and published microbiological methods of assessing shellfish quality in Rhode Island, conducted toxicology research of water contaminants in Cincinnati, and while on detail to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston, was the recipient of the EPA Gold Medal for exceptional service and innovation in fostering the goals of the USEPA. Paul has published numerous articles and research in scientific and trade journals. Since his retirement from the Service in 1986, Paul has been the proprietor of a consulting service to state and local government agencies, schools, and public and commercial entities and a training provider in matters pertaining to asbestos identification and control.

Paul loved and enjoyed his grandchildren, traveling and vacationing with Eileen, woodworking and digital photography.

His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield on Saturday, October 16 at 10am. Visitation for relatives and friends at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, Oct 15 from 4-7pm. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wakefield Food Pantry, PO Box 1624, Wakefield, MA 01880.

October 15, 2021
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave
Wakefield, MA 01880
(781) 245-3550

October 16, 2021
10:00 AM

St. Joseph Church
173 Albion St.
Wakefield, MA 01880