A Final Farewell to Joe Heinricher

Image Credit: Foxboro Cable Access

FOXBOROUGH, MA - One last time, Foxborough said goodbye to a native son who so much to so many people. Known as a husband, son, brother, coach, educator, uncle, Foxborough Warrior, and inspiration, friends and family packed Bethany Church for the funeral of Joe Heinricher Wednesday morning.

As he has many times as a football coach, Heinricher entered Bethany Church to the Peter Gunn theme, a familiar song for those who frequent Ahern Field on Friday nights during football season. The idea came from his nephew Brendan Sweed, a former Foxborough High School student and football player.

“How did this guy have so much time to spend with you people? He never let anything go undone. He worked, coached, cleaned, worked, cleaned, skied, golfed, cleaned, and he managed to hang out with 2,500 people,” he said, noting that during the wake, everyone in line seemed to have a recent memory of his uncle.

Heinricher’s brother John also spoke, revealing his version of a top 10 list that his brother was famous for making for football and track banquets.

“Joe’s not only my brother but my best friend, how lucky was I? How about having him as an uncle? Ask the nieces and nephew, best uncle in the world,” he said.

During the funeral, speaker after speaker brought up the selflessness and generosity of Heinricher. Former Foxborough High School Assistant Principal and current Taunton Alternative High School Principal Bert Delaney recalled giving Heinricher a hard time for his quick departures from the high school on Fridays during the winter to go skiing in New Hampshire. While Delaney assumed Heinricher’s weekend consisted of hitting the slopes for fun, it would be two years until he discovered why his co-worker and friend would rush out of work five minutes early.

“I didn’t realize he was up there donating his time, teaching people to ski who had physical disabilities. He didn’t advertise it because that was Joe,” Delaney said. “He’s the best school administrator I’ve ever worked with. He could do it all. He did it with very little fanfare. His heart was as big as his body.”

Both Sweed and Delaney spoke of a starfish found in Heinricher's truck with the story "The Old Man and the Starfish." With Sweed comparing his uncle to the young man who threw starfish into the ocean to save them.

"Uncle joe picked up starfish every day at school, on the weekend in New Hampshire, and wherever he went," Sweed said.

Holding a starfish, Delaney said he wanted to give his to a person that made a difference in his life.

“There is no better person that I want to pass this down to than my friend Joe because he made a difference in my life. I’m a better husband, person, father, son, brother, and teacher because of Joe Heinricher,” Delaney said.

Speaking on behalf of the Foxborough High School football program, head coach Jack Martinelli recalled the decades worth of Friday nights the two spend on the sideline of football fields.

“Together we shared the happiest moments of life and it’s greatest challenges. Friday nights will not be the same without you I’m sure of it. Whatever category a coach can be assessed, you were simply the best,” Martinelli said. “The one thing I cannot put into words is how much I miss you.”

During the funeral, Heinricher’s niece Jamie Sweed and nephew Dillon Heinricher both read psalms. Prior to the speakers, one of his favorite songs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole was played.

Following the funeral, Heinricher was laid to rest at Rockhill Cemetary on South Street.