John F. Heffernan, IV

John F. Heffernan IV passed away from complications due to a stroke in the early evening of January 18, 2025 at the age of 70. Born in Brooklyn but raised on Staten Island, New York, John (or Jack to his friends and family) was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a caring brother, and trusted friend and mentor. A born storyteller, Jack had a great sense of humor and could command a room from his chair. Friends and family loved to sit around and listen to his stories and as he always said: “it doesn’t have to be true, it just has to be good!”

Jack was a natural athlete and he treasured the lifelong friendships he made wrestling and playing football. An All-American defensive lineman and two-time state champion in wrestling with Monsignor Farrell High School and an offensive lineman with the University of Michigan, Jack loved the camaraderie and friendships he made playing the sports he loved.

A hardworking banker, Jack built a 30+ year career with JP Morgan Chase and was generous with his time and knowledge and believed in taking care of his people. He loved being a mentor to the next generation and instilled the value of hard-work and sacrifice.

Above all, Jack was a beloved father and husband. An overgrown child at heart, Jack is remembered dearly as the man that would play the same game for hours on end just to keep his children giggling or tell spooky stories on long car rides just to keep everyone entertained. He spent summers evenings at the local pool club tossing his children around and treating everyone to Villa Pizza. In recent years he loved to sit with his family and watch bad reality TV (the better to heckle them). He was a man that loved to introduce you to some obscure restaurant/book/movie/music and sure enough it would become your favorite.

Jack is predeceased by his parents, John F. Heffernan III and Barbara Heffernan (nee Hughes), as well as his grandparents George and Alice Hughes.

Jack is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Heffernan (nee Gisonda); sons John F. Heffernan V and his wife Shannon of Fort Mill, SC; Matthew Heffernan and his wife Danielle of Middletown, NJ; daughter Mary Heffernan of Tinton Falls, NJ; and granddaughters Kaleigh Heffernan, Abigail Heffernan, and Scarlett Heffernan. He is also survived by his sisters Janet Welch and her husband James of Staten Island, NY; Mary Paradzinsky and her husband Michael of Myrtle Beach, SC; and brother Richard Heffernan and his wife Jennifer of New Providence, NJ.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, January 26th, 2025 from 2 PM to 6 PM at Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine’s Blvd., Toms River. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Monday, January 27th, 2025 at St. Maximillian Kolbe Roman Catholic Church with repast to immediately follow.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhomes.com.

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