Obituary of Patric Charles Heffernan

Patric Charles (Pat) Heffernan, born May 22, 1934, passed away quietly at his home in Palm Desert on May 19, 2024, just four days before his 90th birthday. He is predeceased in death by his parents, Wanoma and Carroll Heffernan, his first wife Gloria (Klint), his second wife Janie (Doane Nielsen), his brother Arden Heffernan, and his sister Cherie Bagley. He is survived by his wife of ten years, Maria (Silva). Pat was the proud father of seven children, Gregory, Christopher, James, Joseph, Mary, Carol and Deborah, five stepchildren, fifteen grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. The oldest son and oldest daughter shared the distinction of being born on their parents’ respective birthdays. Pat was born in Oakland, California, to parents of Irish and Italian ancestry with roots dating back to the California Gold Rush. He later lived in Porterville and then Fresno, graduating from San Joaquin Memorial High School. Pat earned a degree in accounting at Fresno State University while simultaneously working two jobs and helping Gloria raise four boys. He then earned an MBA from Santa Clara University before embarking on a career in finance. Pat worked for numerous companies, including Aerojet General during the NASA Gemini Space program, Memorex Corporation in its early development, Fairchild Industries, the Monterey- based Cambridge Plan International, and Watsonville-based Del Mar Foods. Pat’s interests included performing at the Barn Theater in Porterville and playing drums in a band in both high school and college. His children fondly remember him tapping out rhythms on the steering wheel of the car. He also loved waking up early for a foggy walk on the beach or spending Saturdays cooking spaghetti for dinner. Pat was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus as well as having a lifetime honorary membership in the organization and was always active in his local parish. Most of all, he was a caring and giving person to all he encountered, especially devoting his time to his first and second wives as they both lost their battles with cancer. Pat wed Maria Silva at Mission Carmel Basilica in 2014 after meeting her in Pacific Grove. They resided in both Pebble Beach and Palm Desert for most of their marriage. Patric Heffernan spent his remaining days as a member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Palm Desert, California. A funeral Mass will be held at noon on June 8, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Church in Capitola, California, with a private burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Santa Cruz, California. Flowers can be sent to the church. Donations can be made to the national organizations for the Knights of Columbus and for Hospice.