John M. “Jack” Heaphy, former partner at Vandeveer Garzia, P.C., died Sunday, March 6, 2011, in Skokie, Ill. He was 83.
Born in Escanaba, Mr. Heaphy was a Detroit-area resident for most of his life. He served in the Navy from 1945-46, after which he attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1950. He earned his juris doctorate at Wayne State University Law School in 1953.
After working in Washington, D.C., for several years, Mr. Heaphy returned to Detroit to join Vandeveer Garzia, where he worked for 35 in aviation litigation, including airplane crashes and airline liability. During the last several years of his career, he served as firm president.
Upon retirement, he moved to Tucson, Ariz., with his wife where they lived until moving a few years ago to Illinois to be closer to family.
Nephew William J. Heaphy Jr. of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said of Mr. Heaphy: “I’ve been a lawyer in this city for 19 years now, and I’m sure that a week hasn’t gone by where some lawyer or judge didn’t have something nice to say about him.”
Mr. Heaphy was known for his generosity, sense of humor, and love of dogs.
Survivors include his wife, Martha; son John; daughters Catherine and Barbara; a brother; two sisters, and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, March 12, at St. John’s Methodist Church in Oak Park, Ill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Heaphy’s memory to: Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025.
The Michigan Lawyer 