Obituary of Peter R. Heelan, Sr.

Peter R. Heelan, Sr. 79, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023 in his home in Naples, FL. He leaves his beloved wife of 59 years, Bertha Sposato Heelan and is survived by his two children: son, Peter R. Heelan, Jr. and his wife, Mary Pat of Lunenburg, MA, daughter, Kathryn Heelan Plezia and her husband Stephen ofMelville, NY, five grandchildren: Christopher Heelan and wife Mariah, Joseph Heelan and wife,Shanleigh, Mary Catherine Heelan Garvey and her husband Thomas, Stephen Plezia, Jr., Allison Plezia

and fiance' Brendan Benitez, two great-grandchildren, Wilson and Nora Heelan, a brother John (Jack) Heelan and wife, Jackie of PA, sister, Jean Burden of VA, brother James Heelan and wife, Deidre of CO, and Sandra Heelan of MA, many nieces, nephews and friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents, John and Gertrude Heelan of Oyster Bay, NY, his father and mother-in-law, Lou and Kate Sposato of Oyster Bay, NY, his brother Thomas Heelan, and brother-in-law, John R. Burden of VA.

Peter was born and raised in Elmhurst, NY and moved to Oyster Bay, NY in 1960, son of John and Gertrude Heelan. He was a member of the class of 1961 at Oyster Bay High School and received his Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Nassau Community College. While attending college and raising a family, Peter worked in the Nassau County Sheriff's Department and would eventually serve as the Undersheriff of Nassau County, NY.

Upon retirement, Peter and Bertha moved to Naples, FL, where he would become a founding member of The Quarry residential community. At The Quarry, Pete and Bert quickly made devoted and loving friends who they considered 'family.' He was a member of The Quarry Golf club and loved playing golf with his 'PSA' buddies, but most of all Pete loved being with his family, friends and his dog, Beau. Pete had a quick Irish wit and would often bring a smile to friend and stranger alike. He was a devoted husband, father, loving 'Papa' to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be dearly missed by all.

Calling hours and a wake service will take place at Fuller Pine Ridge Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL on Monday, April 10, 2023 from 2-5 PM and at Oyster Bay Funeral Home, 261 South Street, Oyster Bay NY on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4-7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Peter at 9 AM at St. Dominic Chapel, 93 Anstice St., Oyster Bay, NY on Saturday, April 15, 2023, with burial to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, 45 Huntington Road, Huntington, NY.

MEMORIAL SLIDESHOW: In Loving Memory of Peter R. Heelan, Sr.