Gerald B. Heap

Attorney Gerald B. Heap, 64, passed away on Friday, March 22, at The Harmony House (Hospice), with his devoted brother Tom by his side. He was raised and educated in Springfield, MA with strong Irish roots. Jerry was predeceased by his parents Col. Harold A. Heap and Mary (McNulty) Heap. He was a 1972 graduate of Classical High School and graduated from American International College in 1976. He earned a Juris Doctor from Western New England Law School in 1982. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in 1982. As a youth he enjoyed playing sports for Van Horn and with kids on Eddy Street and in the neighborhood. Jerry’s favorite pastimes were reading, going to the beach, cheering for all the New England sports teams, talking politics, listening to The Rolling Stones and socializing with his friends. He started his legal career in the Springfield Law Department as a City Prosecutor. He then was a partner in the law firm of Downey, Murphy, Heap and Waldron. He later practiced law at the Law Offices along with Atty. John Rasmussen. All who knew Jerry will remember him as a true person, good friend, loyal man, great advocate, all around good guy, and an extremely intelligent individual.

He will be missed by his siblings, Margaret Lieber (Michael) of Newton, Harold “Pete” Heap, Jr. (Sandra) of Southwick, Thomas Heap (Brenda) of Springfield, and Robert Heap (Tricia) of Longmeadow, his niece, and goddaughter, more like a big brother to Joanne Heap of Longmeadow and her son, Thomas Heap who Jerry was a great uncle, godfather and special buddy, his former spouse and friend Debra Lee R.N. of Springfield, niece, Elizabeth Heap, R.N. of Longmeadow and MANY nieces, nephews and cousins, many special friends who he considers his family from The Fort / The Student Prince and his medical caregivers Jackie Beaulieu and Monica Malone-Woodfine.  

To honor Jerry’s wishes there will be a graveside service and burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield, MA on Saturday, March 30th at 11 A.M. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Harmony House or Baystate VNA & Hospice or ACLU, in Memory of Attorney Gerald Heap.

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