Obituary of Kevin Thomas Heffernan

HEFFERNAN: Kevin Thomas

Passed away peacefully at the P.R.H.C. on Saturday March 21, 2026.  Kevin Heffernan of Lakefield in his 92^nd year.   

Kevin is remembered as a devoted husband, father, brother, son and friend. From the age of sixteen, he learned from respected mentors and friends in the electrical trade and eventually launched his own business with the help of his steadfast wife and partner, Barbara. He worked tirelessly and happily for more than 75 years and often spoke fondly of the great number of people from all walks of life he had the privilege of meeting through the years. It has been said that laughter is the shortest distance between two people (V. Borg), and Kevin regularly bridged the distance in this way. Along with his appreciation for the importance of laughter and his love of music, Kevin had a gift for storytelling which was so much a part of his personality that it defined him in the eyes of his family, friends and acquaintances as a happy, humorous, kind, and thoughtful person. With an innate ability to weave a story in which the sober truth or sorrow of a matter could be viewed through a lens of a mutual lesson learned or a person remembered with dignity, and a lighthearted moment could result in a room filled with uproarious laughter, you were certain to part ways with him feeling a bit better about whatever might ail you. Kevin and Barbara’s home was a place of warmth and welcome for their children, grandchildren and for all who knew them. This, they valued above all else, believing that with the inevitable ups and downs of life in a sometimes harsh world, everyone deserves the dignity of a safe, soft place to land, a cup of coffee and a shoulder to lean on. The people of Lakefield were like an extension of his family and, in gratitude, he contributed in whatever ways possible to the village he loved through coaching hockey and baseball, through his church community, supporting the Lakefield Historical Society, and volunteering with the Lakefield Fire Department. Kevin will be dearly missed for his gentle strength, integrity and decency, and he will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Son of the late Thomas Heffernan and Mary Ellen (Ella) McKeiver. Loving husband of the late Barbara Johanna Heffernan (Leonard) (d. 2014) and father of the late Mary Jo Logel (Peter) (d. 2013).  Beloved father of Betty Ann Logel (Gerard), Kevin (Trudy Cummings), Michelle, Patricia and Jeannie. Cherished Poppy of Tommy, Anna, Edward, David, Andrew, Danny, Maggie, Keiven, T.J., and Johanna. Dearly missed by his brother Michael “Mick” Heffernan (Elaine) of Peterborough, sisters-in-law Betty Lou Fair (late Bob) of St. Catharines, Linda Pearson (late Bob) and many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his brothers Don Heffernan (Cecile Chenier), Chris Heffernan (Ruth Hickey), sisters Della Johnston (Bernie), Margaret Murphy (Paul) and sister-in-law Marianne Sabatino (Joseph).  Friends and relatives may call at THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL, 66 Queen Street, Lakefield on Sunday March 29, 2026 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle R.C. Church, 4 Reid Street, Lakefield, on Monday March 30, 2026 at 11:00 AM.  Cremation to follow.  A reception will be held at the Niels Pind Room, Lakefield Smith Community Centre, following the mass.  Memorial donations may be made to the Lakefield Community Food Bank, the Sisters of St. Joseph, or the charity of your choice and may be made by contacting the funeral home at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-652-3355.  The family wishes to thank the South End Staff and Residents at Riverview Manor, Dr. Andrew Binette, Dr. Jeffrey Boyes, P.R.H.C. Emergency Dept. & Palliative Care Unit, especially Thomas, Taryn and Edan. The family extends gratitude to Fr. Bill Moloney and Father Sany Seshaiah for their care and kindness for Kevin and our family.