Long Island Proud: Happy Birthday-John Heisig Turns 94

It is honor for me to write this post about my good friend John Heisig honoring him after he turned 94 on Sept 24, 2018. I attended a small party at his Sag Harbor home and it was quite a celebration as John told us stories like going to the "Island Casino" on Star Island, Montauk in 1947. John recalled, "Everyone wore tuxedo's, when you walked in there was quite a free spread of food, and the drinks were very inexpensive. A former marine was the guard at the turnoff of West Lake Road, if he didn't think you were O.K. you would get turned away." Oh By the way gambling was illegal back then. LOL

I have know John for 15 years and had been meeting him many years for a chowder at the Dock House in Sag Harbor, The Springs General Store and the Bridgehampton Starbucks. Now I go to his home where Steve and Angelo help him daily. He is one of the most respected gentlemen in Hamptons of the old school of social decorum. John served in World War II in the Coast Guard stationed in Iceland, Greenland, Nova Scotia hunting German submarines and doing weather forecasts. His toes still hurt from the frostbite he suffered back then while on duty.

Over the years John has assisted me in buying cars and boats. His knowledge and guidance has been relied on by many in East Hampton, Southampton and Sag Harbor. He never remarried after his wife the lovely socialite Valeri Lefroy passed away from Leukemia at 44, in 1990. John still feels the magic of her spirit in everything beautiful that he sees.

When I wrote stories about the old Hamptons for a large free weekly both John and now deceased Swede Edwards were my two main sources, it was John who introduced me to the venerable Mr. Edwards the owner of North Sea Radiator on County Road 39. I regret I never wrote a proper blog for Swede, because he loved reading all my articles. Just before he passed away both John and I ran into him driving the other way. We both stopped and talked from our cars for 10 minutes facing opposite directions. We were to have lunch in Swedes office, but he passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2016.

Visiting John is always time filled with me googling very prominent people he used to know. I have met his younger brother William Heisig and his wife Aleta Heisig, both renowned painters. I posted this for John to read because I am proud to call him my friend. He is the type of gentleman they just don't make anymore; never fowl language, never rude, always kind and caring. He has been and is a very good friend to me.
Happy Birthday John, I plan on celebrating your 95th Birthday next year!