NATICK: Connor James Heffler, age 11, died at home on Friday evening with his family all around him. He had battled cancer for 20 months.
He and his twin, Evin McGee Heffler, were born in Boston, the sons of Steven F. and Elizabeth (Rozon) Heffler. The family also includes the twins’ older and often wiser brother, Ryan Steven Heffler.
Connor had a robust and endlessly positive personality that served him greatly in meeting his cancer head on, not allowing it to impinge on his outlook at all. He easily and readily made friends, whether peers, teachers, medical personnel, sports figures, none could escape the special quality that was Connor’s gift. Outgoing - yes, a chatterbox - definitely, a good guy to know – always.
Connor had been educated at Ben-Hem and was currently a 6th grade student at Wilson Middle School. He loved hockey, was a tremendous Bruins fan and played with the Natick Comets when he was able. He enjoyed playing lacrosse and pretty much spent the whole summer swimming. Forever curious and open to new experiences, his parents are sure that he passed from this life ready to see what was next and, if able, will be pushing the Bruins and Natick Lacrosse and Comet teams on to great seasons capped by championships. Who better to show the way to a championship than a champion?
Connor is survived by his parents and brothers; his grandparents, Catherine A. (Reagan) Heffler of Woburn, and Donald J. and Mary Lou (Mahoney) Rozon of Natick; his aunts and uncles, Donna A. Rozon, Patti and Tim Foley, and Barbie and Chris Verna, all of Natick, and Mike and Lani Heffler of Houston, TX; his cousins, DJ, Meghan, Frankie, Sophie, Cameron, Nic, Makena, and Makenzie; extended family and many friends. He was also the grandson of the late Kevin A. Heffler.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, on Saturday, December 3rd at 10:00AM Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Connor’s memory to Cops for Kids with Cancer, Inc, c/o Canton Police Department, 1492 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021; One Summit, 50 Milk Street, 17th floor, Boston, MA 02109; or the Boston Bruins Foundation, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114.