Gerhard “George” Heineman of Warwick passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 8, 2021. He was 93 years old.
Born in Hagen, Germany, on March 26, 1928, he was the son of Dr. Paul and Rose (Knopf) Heineman and emigrated to the United States with his family in 1934, settling in the Inwood section of New York City.
George served proudly in the U.S. Air Force as a flight engineer earning the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged. After serving his country, he worked for Curtiss-Wright Corporation in New Jersey, building and testing aircraft engines. He subsequently went on to establish an automobile service center in Yonkers that he owned and managed for 30 years and then worked as a limousine driver in New York City until he retired in his mid-80’s.
In his younger years, George enjoyed traveling with his family. He was a fan of good food, lively card games and sports events – particularly New York Jets football and New York Mets baseball games – and he enjoyed time spent hunting and fishing.
George loved being with his family, friends and pets and his friendly, good-natured personality and sense of humor endeared him to all of those around him.
George is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; two daughters,Barbara Katzenstein and her husband Benjamin of Warwick and Diane Heineman and her husband Chris Harrises of Nashua, N.H.; his grandsons Alexander Katzenstein and his wife Kristin Vitulli and Gabriel Katzenstein and his partner Jamal Tadros; great-granddaughters Ella Joy and Amelia Rose Katzenstein; sister-in-law Helen Harrison; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat, Sasha. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ralph Heineman and sister Vera Rogers.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Reich for her kind, supportive and expert medical care; caregivers Felicia and Mercy who provided gentle, loving comfort and support to George over the past year; and Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties for their responsive, all-encompassing, compassionate care.
Visitation was held Dec. 12 at the Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave. A funeral service was held Dec. 13 at the funeral home. Interment followed the service in Putnam Cemetery in Greenwich, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in George’s memory to Warwick Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 61, 48 Public Works Drive, Warwick, NY 10990 (www.wvhumane.org) or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 (www.hospiceoforange.com).
Arrangements were entrusted to Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.