James “Jim” Heitz, 73, of Weare, NH, formerly of Bridgewater and Frenchtown, NJ, died peacefully after a courageous and dignified battle with metastatic lung cancer. He was supported by his loving family and close friends.
Jim was born in Somerville, NH on April 20, 1941, to the late Joseph and Lorraine (Vones) Heitz. Jim was drafted in to the US Army, Dec. 1963, and served his country as a corporal in the military police throughout Germany and Europe and was discharged with military honors in December 1969.
Jim started his long career as a heavy equipment operator. His work ethic, “make it right,” led to supervisory positions on many building sites. Ultimately, he became a partner in numerous residential and commercial building developments throughout the country.
Jim retired from developing in 2008 to his home in Big Moose Lake, NY where he pursued his love of snowmobiling, canoe racing, lake sports, kayaking, motorcycling, and his love of socialization. In 2010, he relocated to Weare, NH to a 200-year-old farmhouse where he restored an old barn, built several outbuildings, and maintained the homestead.
Jim kept busy volunteering his time for five years as an officer in the Clinton Elks organization in Clinton, NJ. Recently, he became the Chief Financial Officer of the Philbrick Clement Post 65 of the American Legion in Weare, NH.
Jim is survived by his wife, Pamela (Paraskevas) Heitz; two daughters, Kelly Heitz, DVM and husband Steve Crawford, DVM and Shannon Goldstein and husband Rick; two stepsons, John McGowan and wife Alexandra, Christopher McGowan, MD and wife Grace Lee, MD; five grandchildren, Sam, Jordan, Emma, Taylor, and Ada. Jim is also survived by his sister, Joan Gilbert and husband, George.
A Cemetery Committal Service will be held at the NH State Veteran Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH on Friday, July 11 at 1 p.m. followed by a Memorial Celebration at the American Legion Post 65 in Weare, NH.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Jim’s memory to the Jim Heitz Scholarship Fund through the American Legion Post 65, 12 N. Stark Highway, Weare, NH 03281, 603-826-2772.
Assisting the family with arrangements is the Phaneuf Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.phaneuf.net
