Paul M. Heffernan, 85, of Southborough

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Southborough – Paul M. Heffernan, 85, of Southborough died Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to the late Muriel Mary (Nevins) Heffernan, who passed away in 2012.

A former high school guidance counselor and teacher in the Wayland Public Schools for nearly 30 years, Paul would continue to receive letters of thanks from his students long after his retirement in 1989.

Born in Brighton, he was the son of the late John J. and Mary (Stanton) Heffernan. Paul was the youngest son of Irish immigrants. A football, hockey, and track star at Brighton High, he placed third all-city in the 40-yard dash in 1948.

Following graduation, Paul worked for Boston College, meeting his future wife while attending night classes at Bentley. Shortly after their marriage in 1952, he enlisted and rose rapidly through the ranks of the Army Security Agency while stationed in Germany.

Foregoing an appointment to Officer Candidate School, Paul applied and was accepted to both Boston College and Northeastern. He would return to BC not as a student, but as a night security guard as Northeastern’s rolling admissions allowed Paul the earliest reunion with his wife. Heeding a call to teaching, he would eventually earn both an undergraduate and master’s degrees in education at NU.

In 1959, Paul and Muriel settled in Southborough where they would raise their four children. Always involved in the community, Paul was an active member of St. Matthew Church, coached town hockey & baseball, and was a summer counselor at the Fessenden School.

He is survived by his children, Lee P. Heffernan and his wife Ruth of Norcross, Ga., Michael J. Heffernan and his wife Peggy of Wellesley, Paula Heffernan Paquette of Monroe, N.J., and Karen M. Roy and her husband Michael of Grafton; 10 grandchildren, Patrick and his wife Kerry, Casey and David Heffernan, Tyler and Bailey Paquette, Kendal and Kyle Roy, Caroline, Elizabeth and Jack Heffernan; and two great-grandchildren, Kellen and Maeve. He was predeceased by his siblings, Mary G. “May” Heffernan, John J. “Bud” and David S. Heffernan.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9-11:30 a.m., at Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough, followed  by a 12 p.m. funeral Mass at St. Matthew Church, 26 Highland St., Southborough. Burial will be in the Southborough Rural Cemetery. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.

Memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.

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