Obituary of Joseph E. Heafy

Joseph Edward Heafy Pine Bush, NY Joseph Heafy, 90, of Pine Bush, NY, passed away at his home surrounded by family and friends on April 5, 2011. Mr. Heafy, born in Yonkers, New York, on July 4, 1920, was the youngest of 8 children, born to a family with strong moral values and love of country. He practiced these values in his adult life as exemplified by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He carried a machine gun into action on the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, serving from 1942 until 1945. Mr. Heafy was seriously injured on Iwo Jima and honorably discharged; thereafter, he remained active in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Catholic War Veterans (Pine Bush), as well as the Marine Corps League of Middletown, NY. He was a loyal and longstanding member of 3-L-23 of the 4th Marine Division attending many of their reunions. Using the GI Bill, Mr. Heafy worked full time while also attending Pace College, where he earned a degree in accounting and his CPA. He joined the IRS as a field agent serving until retirement. After retiring, he continued to work part time and enjoyed providing pro bono tax return services to friends and neighbors. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Muriel Heafy; daughters, Bonnie {partner Ann Reinhart} of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Elaine C. Tinghitella {Son-in-Law John W. Tinghitella} of Pine Bush; and grandchildren, Matthew J. Spadola, of Harris NY, Erin J. Spadola, of New York City, and Patrick T. Spadola, of Pine Bush. Visitation will be held on Thursday April 7, 2011 from 3-5 & 7-9pm at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. 1525 Burlingham Rd, Pine Bush. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday April 8, 2011 at 10:00am at the Church of the Infant Saviour with Fr. Kevin Gallagher officiating. Burial will be in New Prospect Cemetery with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joe Heafy's name (on behalf of his grandson Matthew J. Spadola), to The Center for Discovery, PO Box 840, Harris, NY 12742 (please mark donations Heafy / Spadola). Arrangement entrusted to the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com