Robert S. Heffernan, 92, formerly of Clayton, NY, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at St. George Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah.

   Born on October 30, 1933, in Moors, New York, he was the son of Frederick and Helen (Chauncey) Heffernan. As a child, he moved to the Clayton/Cape Vincent area, where he spent most of his life. He graduated from Cape Vincent High School in 1952 and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Des Moines and the USS Mississippi.

   Bob, affectionately known as "Heffcat" to many of his friends, married Martha L. Ackerman on July 20, 1959, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clayton. Together they built a life in Clayton, where they raised four children and spent countless hours enjoying the beauty and traditions of the St. Lawrence River.

   A devoted husband and father, Bob was always present for his family and supported them in every endeavor. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight, as well as the American Legion Post 821, the Lions Club, and the Clayton Minor Hockey Association, where he served as president.

   Bob worked for more than 30 years as a liquor sales representative with Service Liquor Distributors and Peerless Liquor. He later spent nine years with State Chemical Manufacturing before retiring in 1998. Along the way, he held a variety of other jobs, including driving a bus for the Thousand Islands Central School District and, in retirement, driving cars for Avis in the Myrtle Beach area.

   A communicant of St. Mary's Church and a longtime member of the Wednesday Night Clayton Men's Golf League, Bob's greatest passion was the St. Lawrence River. Whether boating, fishing, visiting friends, or simply enjoying life along its shores, the River was always his happy place.

   Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marty; his sister, Helen Greene, and her husband Richard Greene; and his brother, Charles “Sonny” Heffernan. He is survived by his brother, Alan Heffernan, and his wife, Cathy Heffernan, of Watertown, NY; his sister in law, Reba Heffernan, of Fairfax, Virginia; his daughter, Tami Scott and her husband, Horst Schnur, of Ivins, Utah, and her son, Ryan Scott and his wife, Kat Nguyen, of Santa Rosa, California; his daughter, Kelli Ligeikis and her husband, David, of Binghamton and Clayton, New York, and their sons, Connor and his fiancée, Lauren, of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, and Clayton and his fiancée, Ann, of Binghamton, New York; his son, Shawn Heffernan, of Columbia, South Carolina; and his daughter, Heidi Locastro and her partner, Brian Mays, of Catonsville, Maryland, and her children, Nicholas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Camryn of Catonsville, Maryland.

   Known for his sense of humor, kindness, and love of family, Bob spent the last several years of his life at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah, where he was lovingly supported and cared for by his daughter, Tami. His final wish was to return home to Clayton, the community he loved, and to be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

    A graveside service for immediate family members will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Clayton on June 20th.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the ASPCA, or a local humane society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummingsfuneral.com.