James R. Heekin Jr., 82
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - James Robson Heekin Jr., 82, of 41 Oblong Road died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at North Adams Regional Hospital.
Born in Cincinnati on Oct. 30, 1926, son of James R. Heekin Sr. and Alice Peters Heekin, he attended Walnut Hills High School and later Williams College, graduating in 1948. He made Williamstown his permanent home in 1985.
He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II.
Mr. Heekin enjoyed a distinguished career in the advertising field, most recently heading James Heekin Associates Inc., a marketing firm serving many Berkshire businesses, including The Orchards, City Savings Bank, Sweetwood Retirement Community, Jiminy Peak Ski Resort and the North Adams Regional Hospital. He had been president of Ogilvy & Mather in New York City, where he worked with the legendary ad man David Ogilvy. He later was president of Doyle Dane Bernbach Advertising and a partner in his own firm, Canter, Achenbaum, Heekin, also in New York.
He was a director of the Roper Public Opinion Research Center and a member of the South Williamstown Association Board and of the St. Patrick's Parish Council. He had been very involved in developing a leadership curriculum program at Williams College.
He leaves his loving wife of 61 years, the former Jane "Jannie" Jessup; two sons, James Heekin of Stamford, Conn., and Timothy Heekin of Manchester, Vt.; two daughters, Margaret Kensinger of State College, Pa., and Elizabeth Bartels of Williamstown, eight grandchildren, two grea- grandchildren and his Irish setter, Paddy.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mr. Heekin will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10:30 from St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. Burial will be private.
There will be no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to North Adams Regional Hospital in care of the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.