1

West Caldwell, N.J. - Dr. Irving Heaps, 95, passed away on March 2, 2010, in the nursing care facility of the Crane's Mill Continuing Care Retirement Community - where he and his wife, the late Ruth (Rosin) Heaps, moved from their home of 45 years in Livingston, N.J., into an independent living apartment in 1998.

Dr. Heaps was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, on June 8, 1914, the second of four brothers. All three of Dr. Heaps' brothers, Maurice, Robert, and Arnold, predeceased him. His parents, the late Tamar (Temmie) Reuben and Benjamin Heaps, emigrated from Russia to England to Canada at the turn of the 20th century, finally settling in Yonkers and Mount Vernon, N.Y.

A graduate of New York University and NYU Dental School, Dr. Heaps practiced general dentistry from 1939 until he retired at age 84. He was an Army captain during World War II, serving a three-year tour of duty in the medical corps in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Married in 1946, Irving and Ruth Heaps lived in Newark, N.J., until they moved to their Livingston home in 1954.

Dr. Heaps is survived by his children and their spouses, Andrea and Rob Zucker of Florence and Richard Heaps and Laurie Ricksecker of Alameda, Calif.; four grandchildren, Zachary and Sophia and spouse Laura Hilberg) Zucker, and Sara and Maddie Heaps. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Evelyn Heaps, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Dr. Heaps enjoyed a weekly game of golf well into his 80s. He and Ruth were accomplished bridge players, avid sports fans, and world travelers. Over the years they journeyed to Italy, Switzerland, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Russia, Hungary, Japan, China, and enjoyed a long-awaited return trip to Australia and New Zealand.

At Crane's Mill, Dr. Heaps' will be remembered by friends for the legendary devotion he lavished on his wife at the end of her life. He will also be remembered for the pleasure he took in designing unique patterns of play for the weekly bingo games - and how he entertained friends as caller of those games with his characteristic dry wit.

Dr. Heaps will be missed for his caring, gentle, and fiercely independent spirit.

He never lost his wry sense of humor or interest in what was going on in the world. A lifelong Democrat and proud liberal, he made the long journey to western Massachusetts in the fall of 2008 to celebrate his granddaughter's same-sex marriage. After his wife's death in 2007, he deeply appreciated everyone who supported him to live independently, even as his eyesight and hearing were failing. Many loving friends and family members gathered to celebrate his 95th birthday last June.

As was his wish, Dr. Heaps' body has been donated to the New Jersey Medical Foundation. The family asks that contributions in his name be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation. A memorial service will be held at a later date.