James A. Heffernan Sr.

James A. Heffernan – born in South Philadelphia, September 30, 1931, the son of Catharine and James Heffernan – learned early-on the values inherent in a strong Irish-Catholic family: love for his family and friends, devotion to his heritage and commitment to a job well done. From his youthful days as an altar boy to his rise to Public Relations Director of the National Football League, Jim – fondly known as “Heff”- lived a modest life full of curiosity and generosity.  In his passing, March 1, 2023, he leaves a treasure-trove of personal sports and journalism history that few could imagine.

Upon graduation from LaSalle High School in 1949, Jim began work as a copyboy at The Philadelphia Bulletin, where he advanced to clerk in the Sports Department, then to sports reporter and Assistant Sports Editor. He covered a variety of major events, including the Penn Relays, the first United States-Russia track meet in 1959 at Philadelphia, NCAA and NIT basketball, and professional basketball. He covered the Philadelphia Warriors in the NBA and is credited with helping to document and report on Wilt Chamberlain’s famous 100-point game against the New York Knicks in Hershey, PA, in 1962.

In March 1966, Jim joined the Philadelphia Eagles as Director of Publications and Special Events. Two years later, in June 1968, he moved to the New York office of the NFL, which was in the midst of its merger with the AFL. Upon the league’s reorganization in 1970, he became Director of Information and, then, Director of Public Relations of the league in 1977.

Among the multitude of sportswriters with whom Jim networked, few will forget his calm under fire, especially during the many Super Bowls that he helped to lead from the infancy of the ‘Big Game’ to its dominance in the sports world. And even after his retirement from the NFL in May 1991, Jim wasn’t yet done helping to shape the NFL: he and other league veterans were called back to help with the re-stage of Instant Replay in 1999, with Jim primarily working Tampa Bay Buccaneer games in Raymond James Stadium including, in 2001, at the age of 70, Super Bowl XXXV.

While Jim’s career accomplishments are dazzling, his love for family outshines even these lofty achievements. His lifelong love, Mary Josephine “Joey” Ford and he were wed in 1954 and settled in Philadelphia, where they raised a family of three children: Shelly Dezen (Jeff – Greenville, SC); James Heffernan, Jr. (deceased); and Shauna Newman (Michael – Chapel Hill). The family delighted in summers at the shore in Avalon, New Jersey, before Jim and Joey moved to New York City and, then, retired in Tampa, Florida.

As grandparents “Pop-Pop” and “Mom-Mom,” Jim and Joey reveled in their grandchildren: Julia Ford Dezen (New Orleans) and Andrew Dezen (Maddy – Greenville, SC); and Annie Newman (Philadelphia), Allie Newman (Chapel Hill) and Maddie Newman (Portland, OR). Together, Jim and Joey shared the grandkids’ school recitals, youth sports events and joyful family celebrations, highlighted by PopPop’s seemingly boundless knowledge of sports and movie history, his creation of colorful artistic creations and preparation of great recipes, and his even deeper knowledge of his grandchildren’s interests and passions!

After Joey’s passing in 2002, Jim was fortunate to know the companionship of Lee Canalizo, a dear friend, dog-lover and artist in Tampa, who predeceased Jim in 2022. Jim also lost his only sibling, his beloved brother, Edward “Bud” Heffernan, in 2021. He is survived by George Reilly of Gastonia, NC, who lived with Jim growing up and loved him as a brother.

In 2020, Jim relocated to Greenville. There he was surrounded by his caring family. Jim’s final resting place will be in Philadelphia, where his life will be celebrated at a private family event.

In memory of Jim, donations  may be made to The Men of Espiritu Santo, MOES c/o Trey Corish, 10543 Greencrest Drive, Tampa, FL 33626.

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