Obituary of Vincent M. Heck
Vincent “Vince” Miller Heck, 90, passed on peacefully September 13, 2020 in the Residential Health Care Facility at Rome Memorial Hospital, and is now eternally in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and is reunited with his wife of 61years, Babs, and all those loved ones who had gone on before him. During his last year here on earth, Vince would always affirm to his family that he was “good”, and he would want all who have known him to know he's more than “good” now, experiencing fullness of life in Heaven!
Vince was born on May 19, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of Cornelius Vincent Heck and Alice Miller Heck. He grew up in New Jersey, and after high school he met the love of his life, Barbara “Babs”, whom he married on April 4, 1953. After attending the University of Maine, in 1951 Vince joined the United States Air Force, becoming a Strategic Air Command pilot, flying refuelers during the Korean War. Then, in 1956, after an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Vince relocated his family from Turner AFB in Albany, GA to Rome, NY, and started his long career with Revere Copper & Brass. Vince served on the boards of the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce as well as Lake Delta Yacht Club, and was a member of Teugega Country Club. His work as a National Distribution and Warehouse Manager for Revere eventually took him and his wife and two sons to Severna Park, MD, and then to Dunwoody, GA, before he and Babs returned to Rome in 1977. Upon his retirement from Revere, Vince became a real estate broker and appraiser, launching Heck Enterprises, along with Heck Realty in both Rome and Camden.
Vince and his wife, Babs, who went on before him to be with the Lord in September 2014, were deeply committed to their Christian faith, and were founding and active members of Resurrection Life Church in Rome. In 1997 Vince and Babs moved to Florida, returning to Rome in their RV in the summertime. But after ten years they both believed it was God's will for them to return for good to family and church friends in Rome, building their last dream house in Lee Center.
Vince is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Deb Heck of Rome, NY and Scott and Pam (Coleman) Heck of Kingwood, TX; six grandchildren, Brandon (Kristin) Heck of GA, Chad Heck of TX, Josh (Sarah) Heck of TN, Blaine (Catherine) Heck of MD, Craig (Kaycie) Heck of TX, and Catherine (Derek) Meyer of FL; and seven great-grandchildren. Along with his family, Vince leaves behind many close friends whose love, prayers, encouraging calls and cards, and visits, truly enriched his life and especially his last few years. Vince's motto in life was “God first, others second, and self-third” and in living his life for others, he reaped what he had sown.
Vince's family would like to express their love and gratitude to all of the compassionate and loving staff, the nurses, aides, social workers, activity directors and all others, on the third floor (Bartlett wing) of the Residential Health Care Facility at Rome Hospital. You all stepped in for us when we couldn't visit him and were an extension of our love for him. Thank you. Our heart-felt gratitude too to Ron and Karen Scales of Home Helpers in Camden and the kind and loving caregivers they provided for Vince, making it possible for him to live at home as long as he did.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no calling hours or service at this time.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.
Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.
