Donald Bruce Heffron

Donald Bruce Heffron of Townsend passed into eternal life, losing a battle with Alzheimer’s, on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Born in Chicago, IL on May 30, 1925, he was the oldest child of Donald and Mary Brown Heffron. He attended The Protestant Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Chicago. He lost his father in 1965 and his mother in 1986. After graduating from Morgan Park High School in Chicago in February 1943, Mr. Heffron enlisted in the United States Marine Corps “ for the duration of the National Emergency�?, was trained as a “Raider�?, served 26 months in the South Pacific as an expert rifleman, wounded on Guam and Okinawa, honorably discharged in January 1946. He enrolled at University of Indiana ext in East Chicago, transferred to Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, married his one true love Delores, transferred to Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, graduated age 25 in the top quarter of class of 1100 mechanical engineers with BSME, with wife and one son and one on the way moved to Hackensack, NJ in June 1950. Worked for Worthington Pump and Machinery Co. in Harrison, NJ. In March 1952 posted to Bogota, Columbia, South America with dear wife, two sons, and one daughter, returning to USA with same plus second daughter. In May 1955 posted to Caracas Venezuela, South America with dear wife plus four kids. Moved to Miami, FL in May 1957, added two more sons. Left sales field for consulting and followed this profession for 37 years, registering and holding licenses in states of Florida and Tennessee, specializing in air conditioning design and problem solving in large hospital and industrial systems. Honored as Fellow and Life member in American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Participated for 15 years at Troop level in Boy Scouting as committeeman, Asst. Scoutmaster in FL and committee chairman in TN. Troops had high percentage of Eagles. Retired in March 1990 after 40 years of Mechanical Engineering. He was a Master Mason, 32º Scottish Rite, Shriner, Royal Order of the Jesters, who considered himself truly blessed, and awaited tomorrow with joy, shoulders squared and head held high. Mr. Heffron is survived by his wife of 65 years, Delores; sons, Donald M., Daniel G., Douglas R., and Derek A.; daughters, Deanna B. and Donadee H. Jones; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren. Mr. Heffron will be cremated. There will be no visitation. Mr. Heffron requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Haven House (983-6818) in Maryville. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Bruce Heffron please visit our Sympathy Store.