John F. Heisig Sag Harbor Age 94: September 24, 1924 – April 30, 2019

It is with a very heavy heart that I write of the passing of my very good friend John Francis Heisig on April 30, 2019 at 8:35 am. He was a guiding light and inspiration not only to me but to so many. Born September 24, 1924, John was 94 years old and very proud of his service in the United States Coast Guard (weatherman on ships) protecting Allied convoys during World War II off Greenland and Iceland (8- 31-43 to 4-16). -45.)

John was a graduate of Kent State, as well as a yachtsman, liquor salesman and Mercedes Benz enthusiast. However, the true weight of who John Heisig was can best be measured by the great respect everyone had for his advice and wisdom. With a sharp wit and a devilish smile, John always showed his quick wit, his knack for an apt joke and providing a saying or story to help others understand things.

He liked to brag about his dad Theodore F Heisig's professional bike racing prowess, which was curtailed to provide for his wife Margaret Kiernan Heisig when she had her first child (Ted).

John Heisig was dedicated to the memory of his late wife Valarie and his stepson with Vittorio Cottafavi. He was extremely proud of his brother Ted Heisig (deceased) and younger brother William “Bill” Heisig, whose artwork was proudly displayed around John's Sag Harbor home. I never visited John once without him showing me a recent photo of his niece Allaire Heisig, his brother Bill's NYU educated daughter and his beautiful and talented artist wife Aleta Heisig.

Someone wrote to me that John was a “collector of people” and while that was true I believe he was much more than that, he was a true friend to so many people. He would come when your car or boat broke down, he would call to find the right person to help all his friends with their specific problems. Follow.

When I first became a writer in the Hamptons in 2004, John was the one who fed me so many amazing stories and lined up people to interview. He refused to be part of any of the articles always saying he wanted to “fly under the radar”. It had encyclopedic caliber memory with full recall. Walking around the Hamptons with him was an experience, John was like an honorary mayor wherever we went.

John Francis Heisig was a gentleman, a towering presence of grace and elegance who never raised his voice even when upset. He was one of the classiest men I have ever met. I was so proud to have him as my friend.