Mr. John J. Heery Sr.

December 3, 1941 - September 1, 2019

John Joseph Heery, Sr. of Glassboro, NJ, born December 3, 1941, died on September 1, 2019. He was the son of the late Michael A. Heery, Sr., and Helen M. Matlock of Gibbstown, NJ. He was also predeceased by his brother, Michael A. Heery, Jr. Mr. Heery graduated from Greenwich Township Elementary School (Gibbstown) in 1955, Paulsboro High School in 1959, Goldey Beacom College (Wilmington DE) in 1961, and East Carolina University (Greenville, NC) in 1963 and 1965 having earned an Associate in Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree. While at East Carolina, he held a Teaching Fellowship instructing in basic accounting and was a member of both the College of Business’ and University’s faculties. After graduating Mr. Heery worked as a staff accountant, tax accountant, and assistant tax manager at two CPA firms in Wilmington DE. He was also a cost accountant for the E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company for the company’s Carneys Point plant working in the main office in Wilmington DE. In September of 1977 he began his career with the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Developmentally Disabled at the Vineland Developmental Center as its first accountant advancing to business manager. In February 1978, he transferred to the Department’s Division of Youth and Family Services to organize and manage the southern regional Office of Contract Compliance. In 1982 the auditing offices of the department were merged under the Office of the Commissioner where Mr. Heery worked as a supervising auditor until his retirement in February 2002. In addition Mr. Heery’s outside employment was as a self-employed tax practitioner, an Enrolled Agent (to practice before the IRS), and a certified public manager. He was also associated with the office of Patricia E. Beavers, PA, of Salem NJ as a tax practitioner. He also held an FCC radio operator’s license. During the years 1984 through 1998, Mr. Heery was an instructor for the Vineland Adult Education program teaching bookkeeping, tax preparation, and the VITA program. He was also an instructor for the Millville Adult Education program teaching bookkeeping from 1983 to 1992. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Heery was involved in numerous collegiate, religious, fraternal, and community activities. During his collegiate years, he was a member of the Goldey Beacom College student government association, the open house committee, the annual Christmas dances, and the annual student picnics. At East Carolina University he was a member of the Society for the Advancement of Management (membership chairman), the Newman Club (vice-president), the Inter-Religious Council (vice-president and assembly moderator), and a disc jockey on the campus radio WWWS-AM. His religious activities included his attendance at Mass at the Catholic churches in his local communities. While living in Vineland NJ, Mr. Heery and as a member of Our Lady of Pompeii RC Church, he was an installed reader, member of the Parish choir, and liturgy committee. He was also one of the treasurers of the annual Our Lady of Lourdes festival. While a member a St. Isidore the Farmer Parish in Vineland, he was a member of the Parish Council (serving as secretary), and a member of the Holy Name Society. In 1974 Mr. Heery’s fraternal activities began with his being a charter member of the Knights of Columbus’ Third Degree Pope John XXIII Council of East Vineland NJ serving as its Financial Secretary from 1974 to 1996. He was also a 1976 charter member of the Knights’ Fourth Degree St. John Neumann Assembly of Millville NJ. During his service in the Fourth Degree, he held all the officer’s chairs including Faithful Navigator (1985) and Faithful Comptroller (1987 to 1993). Mr. Heery’s community activities have included being Charter President (1967) and chairman of the board (1968) of the Minquis-Elsmere Jaycees, financial advisor for the Diamond State Telephone Company sponsored junior businesses for the Delaware Junior Achievement program (1967 - 1973), and a board member of the Greater Vineland United Way (1975). During his children’s years at St. Mary’s Regional Catholic School in East Vineland NJ, he was PTA vice-president and president from 1976 to 1977 and a member of the board of the school from 1977 to 1979. He was also a chaperone of his children’s annual class trips from 1974 to 1984. Mr. Heery is survived by his husband John E. Ayres of Glassboro, his son John Heery Jr. PE (Scott) of Glassboro, his daughter Mary Parker, PE (Michael) of Fredericksburg, VA, and his two grandsons, James and Andrew Parker. In addition he is survived by his children’s mother Mary Heim (John) of Wilmington DE. Additional survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, and first cousins. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 Am Saturday September 21, 2019 in St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service starting at 10am. Inurnment Private. Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Diabetes Association. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.