Thomas M Heilferty

Thomas M. Heilferty passed away at age 63 on the evening of November 21st at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. To his daughter, wife, siblings, nieces, cousins, co-workers, and friends, Tom was hard working, kindhearted, and a loving gentle giant known for his bright eyes and smile. He was always the first to offer a hug or express his love. A brave and courageous man. A devoted father and husband.

Thomas was born on March 15th, 1960, in the Bronx, NY to Henry and Rosemary Heilferty.

He grew up in a very loving home and shared many fun adventures with his siblings who always had each other’s backs. He graduated from Albertus Magnus High School in 1978. He was a member of the 1976 - 1977 Albertus Magnus Hall of Fame basketball team that made it to the state finals. He went to Dominican College and held many technical certifications across various trades.

His first job as a young man was his Coca-Cola route which led to a collection of both funny stories and memorabilia. He then began his lifelong career in construction. He was a valued member of the Local 147 Union, the “sandhogs.” He then went to work as a construction supervisor for various sites in New York and New Jersey. He is the only man we know who worked both 500 feet below the ground and 500 feet above the ground yet would still be there for all of us on the surface.

Tom and Melissa met when she was living in Brooklyn, and he was with friends from work. That night, Tom lent his car to a friend. Tom was always a generous guy, and possibly too generous, because his friend left him stranded! A mutual friend led Tom to Melissa’s door to await his car. Melissa offered Tom a coffee while he was waiting and he said, “I’d love a tea if you have it, please.” Which immediately caught her attention, as did his stunning blue eyes. This fateful encounter began their relationship which took them to their now forever home of Pearl River. They loved their walks around Rockland Lake and the trails around the Palisades, renting movies from Blockbuster or binge watching their favorite shows, Seinfeld and Friends.

They happily married and welcomed their one and only, and all they needed, daughter Annarose. As a father, Tom made Annarose feel safe, he taught her to not be afraid, and made her feel confident enough to do anything. His guidance and encouragement spanned through all years and phases of her life. He was so proud of all her accomplishments, both professional and personal.

Tom was deeply loved by his daughter Annarose, his wife Melissa, his siblings Catherine Apostol and her husband Paul, Robert Heilferty, William Heilferty and Marie Paskewich, David Heilferty and his wife Judi, and Timothy Heilferty and his wife Karen. He was cherished by his nieces Alexis, Catherine, Caitlin, Kylie, and Felicity. He was predeceased by his parents, Rosemary and Hank Heilferty. Tom passed from a series of medical complications.

Please join us for visitation at Wyman-Fisher Funeral Home at 100 Franklin Avenue, Pearl River, NY on Tuesday, November 28th from 4-8pm. Family and friends are welcome to meet for the funeral at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 128 Parrott Rd, West Nyack, NY on Wednesday, November 29th for a 10:00 am mass. Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery in Airmont, NY. Please consider donating to the ASPCA or your favorite animal rescue group, as Tom was a huge animal lover, or The Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla Campus.

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