Thomas R. Heaney, Sr. Of Manasquan Dies At 78

Courtesy of Orender Funeral Home

Thomas R. Heaney, Sr. 78 of Manasquan passed away on Wednesday, October 14 at his home.

Thomas was born and raised in Killeenrevagh, County Mayo, Ireland. As a young man he served in the Irish Army then immigrated to New York City in January 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. After finishing his four year enlistment he returned to New York City.

He lived there for a few years before moving to the Jersey Shore area to raise his family. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and New Jersey Army National Guard, retiring in 1998.

Thomas was a proud life member of The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart. He was also a member of the Carpenters Union Local 2018 for over 50 years and worked for Patock Construction for 30 years. Thomas enjoyed sailing, cycling and was an avid New York Yankees and Giants fan. Thomas was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion and the 82nd Airborne Association.

Thomas was predeceased by his parents James and Mary Ann Heaney; four brothers, Father Andrew Heaney, James Heaney, John Heaney and Martin Heaney; three sisters Christine O’Dea, Peggie Tierney and Kathleen Chopey. He is survived by children Margaret Heaney and her husband Tom Burcher of New Jersey, Bridget Heaney of New Jersey, Thomas Heaney Jr. and his wife Eleonora of New Jersey and James A. Heaney and his wife Annette Müller of Germany and their mother Sheila Heaney of New Jersey. Thomas is also survived by one brother Michael; four sisters Delia McCarthy, Una Crosby, Sheila Costello and Theresa Heaney all of Ireland; six grandchildren, Christina, Megan, Thomas III, Matthew, Colleen and Laura; two great-grandchildren Alyssa and Nicholas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 4 p.m. to 8 p. on Thursday, October 22 at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 23 at St. Denis Church, Manasquan. Interment will follow at Brig Gen William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 155 East 55 St., Suite 6H, NY, NY 10022 or Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart, 27 Upper Sherrard St, Dublin 1, Ireland. To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.