Holley – John Paul Heise, 73, passed away suddenly on December 23, 2020. He was predeceased by his father, John J. Heise, mother, Ruth Meteyer Heise Orbaker, and sister, Carol Heise Smith.
He is survived by his wife of 50years, Sandy, his son Kevin (Iris), his daughter Samantha (John) Zelent, and his grandson, Alexander Zelent, with whom he shared a birthday. He is also survived by two brothers, James (Suzanne) and Timothy (Hope).
John was born in Rochester in 1947 and graduated from Newark New York High School in 1965. He received a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies from SUNY Brockport. After 11 years working in the Rochester City School District, John, Sandy and the kids moved to Holley when John accepted a position as the Holley Elementary School principal. He later served as the Holley High School principal and as the District Director of Special Education before retiring in 2002.
John was very active in the Holley community. Besides the Board of Education, (where he has been serving for 13 years), John also sat on the BOCES #2 Board. One of John’s longest commitments was to the Holley Rotary Club and to Rotary International. He believed in the Rotary principle of “service above self”. Many students from all around the globe spent a year in Holley due to John’s work in the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
John lived a full and rich life and was devoted to his family. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will not be a service at this time.
John would be honored if you wished to make a contribution to the Holley Rotary Club, P.O. Box 224, Holley, NY 14470 in his name.
John’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes, Inc., Holley, NY.
“The ripples of his generosity and positive spirit will live on forever…he made this world a better place.”
To share a special memory of John, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
