Our Brother in Christ, George Paul Heyman, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on April 16th 2021. He was Pastor of Church of the Assumption and Church of the Resurrection parishes in Fairport. He was a loved and cherished part of our community, the Diocese of Rochester and beyond.
Father, Doctor George Heyman, PhD, is survived by the people of God who he was blessed to have loved and served them over his 40 years as a Roman Catholic Priest, Deacon and Parish Organist in the Rochester Diocese. Learning how to share, even before birth, he was born December 9th with his brother Edward only a few minutes apart. Ed would always remind him, that he was first. They had a special and unique bond only an identical twin can claim.
George was predeceased by his parents, Mary Ellen and George Heyman and beloved sister, Patty. His is survived by his brother Edward and his children Daniel (Nina), Andrew, Emily Heyman (Matt Nagelschmidt) and his sister Cathy (Richard) Hahn and their children Brian and David.
In lieu of flowers the family would like to encourage everyone to reach out and make that call you may be putting off; contact someone you love or someone you may be having a personal struggle with today, don’t wait for tomorrow. Reach out as much as you can. Let those you love know how much. Take the time to rebuild any relationship that you can. Life is so precious and none of us know when our time may be upon us.
Ordained on April 24, 1981 by Bishop Matthew Clark at St. Ambrose Parish. His funeral services will be held on his 40th Anniversary April 24th, 2021 at Assumption Parish in Fairport. Those who attended his Ordination will remember the enthusiasm and energy that he brought as he fulfilled his lifelong calling to become a priest. Living the dream and following his thirst for knowledge brought him to many communities, several close to large prestigious colleges.
He received a doctorate in Religious Studies from Syracuse University, A master’s in Theology from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass; a Masters of Divinity and Masters of the Arts degree from St Bernard’s Seminary. He received his Bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher college.
A Rochester native, Father Heyman grew up in Rochester’s St. Andrew Parish, he attended city schools and graduated from Franklin in 1973. While completing his seminary studies at St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester, he and his twin brother, Ed, also shared the role of parish organist at St. Andrew.
Father Heyman had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, according to Father Daniel Condon, chancellor for the Diocese of Rochester.
“When you talk about a lifelong learner, George was absolutely that,” Father Condon recalled, noting that Father Heyman knew many different languages. “He had a real facility for language. He studied the Scripture very diligently, in both an academic and a spiritual manner.”
His passion for learning and teaching along with a compassionate heart and his own life experience made him an excellent homilist, incorporating how the Scripture was woven into our daily lives and the opportunity it presents to us regarding social justice, social mission and our part in making the world a better place.
Additional Places Father Heyman Served and excerpts from the Catholic Courier.
Father Heyman served as assistant pastor at St. Mary Parish, Corning (1981-82), and St. Pius Tenth Parish, Chili (1982-84), before becoming associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Rochester (1984-85). He later served as parochial vicar at Church of the Assumption, Fairport (1985-87), and Holy Cross Parish, Rochester (1989-90). In between those two posts, he was an associate member of the Basilian Fathers while he taught at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Ind.
He served temporarily at the parishes of St. John the Evangelist, Newark Valley, and St. Francis of Assisi, Catatonk (1990), and St. Anne, Palmyra, and St. Gregory, Marion, while their pastors were on sabbatical. In May of 1991, he became pastor at Church of the Epiphany in Sodus and St. Rose of Lima in Sodus Point.
Father Heyman later served as parochial vicar at St. Cecilia Parish in Irondequoit and temporary administrator at Holy Apostles/St. Anthony in Rochester and Immaculate Conception in Ithaca before becoming pastor of the Ithaca parish in 1998. He left Ithaca in 2000 to become pastor of Blessed Trinity Catholic Community in Wolcott, Red Creek and Fair Haven.
Father Heyman became a teacher at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry in 2007 and taught there until 2015, when he became the school’s president. While teaching at St. Bernard’s, he also offered priestly ministry at Church of the Resurrection, Fairport, and offered Mass at Monroe Community Hospital. In 2018, he left his post at the helm of St. Bernard’s to become pastor of Church of the Assumption and Church of the Resurrection in Fairport.
He also served as chair of the Diocese of Rochester’s Presbyteral Council, a priestly advisory group that assists Bishop Salvatore R. Matano in the pastoral care of the diocese. Father Heyman also was a member of the diocesan College of Consultors, which is a group of priests with whom the bishop consults on such matters as significant church renovations and major financial transactions.
Over the years, Father Heyman also taught at Nazareth College, Binghamton University, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Syracuse University and the University of Rochester, and in 2005 he received the Doctoral Dissertation Prize from Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He also belonged to several national honor societies.
Father Heyman also was a natural and gifted teacher, Father Condon added.
“He did love to teach. That’s really what he liked doing, and it came through in his preaching. He was a good preacher,” he said.
Father Heyman was a brilliant man and “a font of knowledge,” but what stood out the most about him was his joyful nature, noted Father Thomas Mull, one of Father Heyman’s close friends.
“He was always smiling and laughing. He enjoyed being a priest. He enjoyed the way of life, he was good with people, … and when you were with him, he just sort of exuded that joy,” Father Mull recalled.
“He always communicated joy to other people. He just loved his priesthood very much,” Father Gonyo agreed.
Father Heyman will Lie in State at Church of the Assumption, Fairport, Friday April 23, 2021 from 3PM-6PM, An Evening Prayer Vigil will be held at 7:30PM. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday April 24, 2021 at 7PM. Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano presiding. Private Interment will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester NY. Due to the Covid-19 Virus and limited seating, reservations for Evening Prayer and the Funeral Mass may be made at cota.church. Both services the time of viewing may all be seen livestreamed at https://cota.church/livestream
Comments
17 responses to “Heyman, Reverend George P.”
Father Heyman was always joyful while presiding over the Masses he preformed each week for both his Congregation and folks who Live Streamed because of the COVID Pandemic. Even though I never meant him personally you could feel his spirituality & friendly manner. Rest in the Lord’s Peace forever especially on what would have been your 40th Anniversary to the Priesthood. We have definitely lost a wonderful disciple of God.
I knew Father Heyman as a professor at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry. He was a scholar with a love of knowledge and a gift for sharing, never pompous, always generous. He had wise counsel for students who were struggling and those who were doing well: “You are not your grade.” He opened the Christian scriptures to us with a deep scholarly understanding of the original texts and their nuances and a sense of what they were saying in today’s terms. Thank you so much, and rest in peace, Fr. George.
As a member of Assumption Parish I looked forward to Fr Heyman,s sermons . He was so good at the delivery of the message and its use in today’s world . His joyful presence was noticeable and you could tell he was happy in his priesthood . He will be missed by the parishoners.
Father Heyman was a much valued instructor when I was a graduate student at St. Bernard’s. I learned much from him both during class, and in our many other encounters. I appreciate very much his contributions that enabled me to earn my degree, and to learn critical elements of pastoral care settings. Thank you Fr. Heyman.
My family and I knew George well at St. Pius X. He was unique in many ways. I recall vividly a morning mass where we the people were patiently waiting for mass to start and George walked in late carrying his vestments. He stopped, looked at the congregation, and said “did you ever have one of those mornings?”. That typifies how I will remember him. Rest well old friend.
Nancy and I are surely grieving the loss of our beloved pastor and spiritual leader for the Resurrection Church in Fairport. His caring and compassionate nature always showed in is face, smile and outreach. He seemed to know almost everyone’s name and always had time to talk with whomever he was near. Even with the enormous amount of education he earned, he always came across as a humble and true servant of God.. He always engaged with everyone which surely is a gift. Few people are so kind, generous and sincere. He finished his mission on earth and our Lord must be well pleased. May he rest in peace!
It had been 31 years since Fr. George had looked out over the Assumption congregation. His first words in 2018 were “I see you are all still sitting in the same seats !” We were so delighted that he was back. He brought that laughter and joy into our lives every weekend and we loved him for it. Thank you Fr. George.
Father Heyman was a breath of fresh air in the church, he came through the doors on Sunday morning like sunshine its self pouring into the church. He made you feel important enough to remember and always had enough time to stop shake your hand, say good morning and tell you it was good to see you and that he was glad you were there. He brought joy and humor to the word of GOD which would not only catch the younger parishioners attention and made them have a smile and a laugh but the older ones as well. He knew that happiness, joy and laughter should be a part of any family and his church family was no exception. He will be greatly missed by so many. Until we all meet again R.I.P Father George Paul Heyman.
I was friends with George and Ed in high school. Great guys. I am in shock and deeply saddened to earn of George’s passing. He was faithful to his calling. Sincere condolences to Ed and the rest of the family.
We were very sorry to hear of Fr. George Heyman’s passing. We offer our sincere condolences to his brother and sister, nieces and nephews, his brother priests and his parishioners. The joy he exuded at Mass was only surpassed by the comfort and peace I experienced during adoration of Jesus after daily Mass when he played such beautiful hymns on the piano and ended it with beautiful prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and benediction. May our Lord Jesus give Fr. George, His faithful servant, eternal rest and joy in His Heavenly Kingdom forever!
Father Heyman, you are very important to our family! Those 30 years since we met went by quick! Our whole family is saddened by your passing! We will never forget that smile, or what a truly kind & sweet man you were! We will miss you a lot, until we meet again! ❤
Absolutely loved Fr George had him as a teacher at St Bernard’s school of Theology and Ministry. He was the best! Thoughts and prayers to his family. RIP Fr George.
To Ed and all of George’s family…..We have lost a very productive worker in the Lord’s vineyard. Fr. Condon and the Bishop said it all at the vigil service last night. Please take solace and comfort from what you are hearing and what you remember. It will be hard to be at Mass and not remember George. Deacon Phil Yawman
I HAVE LOST A DEAR FRIEND.
JUST FOUND FATHER GEORGE DURING THE COV 19 FLU.
FATHER GEORGE SEEM TO BE SO KIND AND CARING WITH HIS PARISHIONERS AN UP LIFT TO THE TV VIEWERS..
MAY GOD FIND A SPECIAL PLACE FOR HIM IN HEAVEN.
Father George
How we will miss you! I remember you saying Mass on Fridays At St. Johns of Rochester the 8:30 Mass then you got the Job of being Pastor of Our Lady of Assumption.
You were a tribute to us all. R I P Father we loved you!
I knew father Heyman through his brother, my high school theology teacher. Fr. Heyman was a kind and gentle soul, may he rest peacefully. My deepest sympathy to the Heyman family.
Father George, So blessed to have you in our lives You were a great listener & so supportive of our family. Thank you for our talks Our daughters ❤ working w/you- You always referred to them as the “A” team & they loved serving you
You had so much to contend with in life, You are a True Gift from God
Andrew, you encompassed your Uncle Father George PERFECTLY in your tribute. He was so proud of you and your family.
God Bless
The Domenicos