Obituary of John Heyman

John W. Heyman, a lifelong resident of Abington Township, died on December 29, 2009 at Abington Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness; he was 80. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose Marie (Kessler); son John R. Heyman of Doylestown and daughter Roslyn Marie Mauer of Roslyn; eight grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

He graduated from Abington High School in 1948 and enrolled in the U.S. Navy Reserves that same year. He served in the U.S. Navy (active duty) during the Korean War and attended the U.S. Armed Forces Institute, majoring in Marketing and Management. After completing his active duty service, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserves for five years.

He attended Penn State University from 1976-80, earning an Associate Degree in Finance, the Graduate Realtors Institute from 1978-80, earning the GRI designation, and the Southeastern PA Real Estate Institute from 1979-80. He has also been recognized as an Instructor of Parliamentary Law since 1965.

John chose sales as a profession and created his own marketing corporation, Heywood Corporation and another marketing company called Delaware Valley Marketing Associates for which he served as the Director of Sales & Marketing until 1964, President from then until 1980, and later Chairman.

While attending the Graduate Realtors Institute, he joined a real estate agency as the Director of Sales & Marketing and, upon graduation, created his own real estate agency. He was a licensed real estate broker from 1980 until his death. In 1984, he joined Hillside Cemetery Company in Roslyn as the Director of Sales. Six years later, he became President, CEO and COO of the company and served in those capacities for four years. For the past 12 years, he has served Hillside as Public Relations Director.

John had a deep love for his community and his community activities are numerous: he was a 60+year member of the Roslyn Fire Company and served as an active fireman, Parliamentarian, Trustee, and President. During this time, he also served in the Fire Police Unit for 25 years (ten as Captain). He was Vice President and then President of the Fireman's Relief Association for over 15 years and served as President, Trustee, Director, and Executive Director of the Abington Township Police Pension Association for almost 40 years.

Other community activities include over ten years as a member of the Abington Township and Roslyn Jaycees and as a member of the Pennsylvania Jaycees Board of Directors for four years; he was honored for his years of service by being named a J.C.I. Senator in 1963. He was a member of The American Legion (Wm. Boulton Dixon Post#10) for 56 years, the W.K. Bray Lodge #410 F & AM for 56 years and was a 32nd degree Mason in the Lehigh Consistory for 50 years.

Volunteer activities include service to the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals (Chairman Eastern Montgomery County), the Abington Township Youth Opportunities Council, Roslyn Valley Promotions Committee (serving as Chairman of the Roslyn Valley Memorial Day Parade & Memorial Service for 10 years), the Roslyn Library Advisory Council, and the Old York Road Community Easter Sunrise Service.

He earned many awards and honors over the years including a Certificate of Appreciation from the Commonwealth of PA for 25 years of community service; a citation for Dedicated Service to the Community from the PA House of Representatives; a citation for Distinguished Service from the Abington Township Commissioners; selection as The Outstanding Young Man by Abington Township; an Award of Merit, 50/55 Year Service Awards and a Life Membership award from the Roslyn Fire Company; and he was published in the Outstanding Young Men of America.

John was also very involved in local politics serving on the Abington Township Housing Task Force and the Reapportionment Committee, serving as a Republican Committeeman for 40 years, as a Ward Leader for three years and as Judge of Elections for one year. He also served as a District Justice in Abington Township for several years. He actively participated in many political campaigns over the years was a charter member of the Republican Presidential Task Force, and was a sustaining member of the Pennsylvania Republicans and the National Republican Committee.

The viewing will be held on Monday, January 4 from 6:00-9:00 at Kirk and Nice Suburban Chapel on the grounds of Sunset Memorial Park at 333 County Line Road in Feasterville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service and celebration of John's life on Tuesday, January 5, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church at Parkview and Lycoming Avenues in Abington. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service. Interment at Hillside Cemetery in Roslyn will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's name to the Roslyn Fire Company at 1128 Bradfield Road in Roslyn 19001.