Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 04/Jun/2021 71.223.177.248
Stephen J. Heffner
- Class of 1985 - Stephen "Steve" Heffner, 53, passed away peacefully with
loved ones by his side on May 30th at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York
City after a courageous battle with cancer. Steve was born in Newburgh, NY on
June 14, 1967 to the late Stephen and June Heffner. He attended Liberty Street
School, South Junior High and later Graduated from Newburgh Free Academy. Steve
studied at Dutchess Community College but soon made his way to Los Angeles to
pursue his dream of working in film. As a child, Steve had an insatiable
interest in movies and television and wished to be a creator. While in LA, he
attended Columbia College Hollywood where he made short films and worked in a
video store while trying to make connections and find his footing. It was a
frustrating period for him and he returned to New York unsure of his future but
also happy to be home in his beloved Hudson Valley. Steve soon found work at The
Poughkeepsie Journal where he spent six years as a Production Associate. Though
the work could be gratifying and the friendships with coworkers strong, he still
felt the pull of film, and knew it was his destiny if he could find a way in. In
2001, Steve made the brave and bold move to leave the Journal and become an
editor. He attended The Edit Center in Manhattan where he was a star pupil.
Then, what began as an internship with a documentary filmmaking team culminated
in Steve garnering his first credits as associate editor and associate producer
for his work on The Hill, a 2005 Sundance Channel docu-series. From there Steve
went on to forge tight working relationships with filmmaking colleagues, making
him a sought after and valued picture and sound editor. His numerous credits
include: NY 77: The Coolest Year in Hell (2008 Showtime), WWII in HD (2009
History Channel), Vietnam in HD (2011 History Channel), The American Nurse (2013
Kino Lorber), Brothers in War (2014 National Geographic Channel -EMMY
nominated), Indian Point (2015, Tribeca Film Festival, Frontline Journalism
Award Winner), The Dog Doc (2019 Tribeca Film Festival), and Cured (2020 ITVS).
In 2019 Steve co-directed and edited the limited series The Apollo Chronicles (CW).
He was thrilled to have recently been hired to edit an HBO film, a job that
would have begun Fall of 2021. It was not only Steve's skill as an editor that
led filmmakers to work with him time and again, but his capacity for deep and
abiding friendships: immense generosity: dry wit and dark humor that made him
irresistible and irreplaceable. Everyone he crossed paths with would remember
that generous spirit, he made an impression everywhere he went, forging bonds
with all. He was passionate about music and excelled at working closely with
film composers. He became a skilled sound designer and added that role to his
repertoire. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of American films of the 1930s, 40s
and 70s, was a horror film buff, and loved the outdoors. Steve remained close
with childhood friends throughout his life and was proud of his Newburgh roots
where he ran with a diverse crew, and found acceptance as a young gay man. Steve
adored and helped raise his niece Candace L. Heffner and nephew John L. Heffner
(Newburgh, NY). He is also survived by Candace's husband Frankie Claudio (both
of Carmel, NY), his brother John L. Heffner (Newburgh, NY,) and great niece
Cierra S. Heffner (Newburgh, NY) along with numerous dear friends whom he
considered family including Kenny Albano (New York, NY), Ivy Meeropol (Cold
Spring, NY), Toby Shimin (Cold Spring, NY), and Joe Farrett (Newburgh, NY).
Steve Heffner was a shining light in the world and will be forever missed and
remembered. Visitation will be held from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021
with a memorial service beginning at 3pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave.
Newburgh, NY. - June 14, 1967 ~ May 30, 2021
Stephen J. Heffner
- Class of 1985 - Stephen "Steve" Heffner, 53, passed away peacefully with
loved ones by his side on May 30th at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York
City after a courageous battle with cancer. Steve was born in Newburgh, NY on
June 14, 1967 to the late Stephen and June Heffner. He attended Liberty Street
School, South Junior High and later Graduated from Newburgh Free Academy. Steve
studied at Dutchess Community College but soon made his way to Los Angeles to
pursue his dream of working in film. As a child, Steve had an insatiable
interest in movies and television and wished to be a creator. While in LA, he
attended Columbia College Hollywood where he made short films and worked in a
video store while trying to make connections and find his footing. It was a
frustrating period for him and he returned to New York unsure of his future but
also happy to be home in his beloved Hudson Valley. Steve soon found work at The
Poughkeepsie Journal where he spent six years as a Production Associate. Though
the work could be gratifying and the friendships with coworkers strong, he still
felt the pull of film, and knew it was his destiny if he could find a way in. In
2001, Steve made the brave and bold move to leave the Journal and become an
editor. He attended The Edit Center in Manhattan where he was a star pupil.
Then, what began as an internship with a documentary filmmaking team culminated
in Steve garnering his first credits as associate editor and associate producer
for his work on The Hill, a 2005 Sundance Channel docu-series. From there Steve
went on to forge tight working relationships with filmmaking colleagues, making
him a sought after and valued picture and sound editor. His numerous credits
include: NY 77: The Coolest Year in Hell (2008 Showtime), WWII in HD (2009
History Channel), Vietnam in HD (2011 History Channel), The American Nurse (2013
Kino Lorber), Brothers in War (2014 National Geographic Channel -EMMY
nominated), Indian Point (2015, Tribeca Film Festival, Frontline Journalism
Award Winner), The Dog Doc (2019 Tribeca Film Festival), and Cured (2020 ITVS).
In 2019 Steve co-directed and edited the limited series The Apollo Chronicles (CW).
He was thrilled to have recently been hired to edit an HBO film, a job that
would have begun Fall of 2021. It was not only Steve's skill as an editor that
led filmmakers to work with him time and again, but his capacity for deep and
abiding friendships: immense generosity: dry wit and dark humor that made him
irresistible and irreplaceable. Everyone he crossed paths with would remember
that generous spirit, he made an impression everywhere he went, forging bonds
with all. He was passionate about music and excelled at working closely with
film composers. He became a skilled sound designer and added that role to his
repertoire. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of American films of the 1930s, 40s
and 70s, was a horror film buff, and loved the outdoors. Steve remained close
with childhood friends throughout his life and was proud of his Newburgh roots
where he ran with a diverse crew, and found acceptance as a young gay man. Steve
adored and helped raise his niece Candace L. Heffner and nephew John L. Heffner
(Newburgh, NY). He is also survived by Candace's husband Frankie Claudio (both
of Carmel, NY), his brother John L. Heffner (Newburgh, NY,) and great niece
Cierra S. Heffner (Newburgh, NY) along with numerous dear friends whom he
considered family including Kenny Albano (New York, NY), Ivy Meeropol (Cold
Spring, NY), Toby Shimin (Cold Spring, NY), and Joe Farrett (Newburgh, NY).
Steve Heffner was a shining light in the world and will be forever missed and
remembered. Visitation will be held from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 12, 2021
with a memorial service beginning at 3pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave.
Newburgh, NY. - June 14, 1967 ~ May 30, 2021