DONALD R. HEAVENS
Pioneer of Woodbury Luminaries

Donald R. Heavens, 82, a fifty-year resident of Woodbury, died peacefully Saturday,October 17, after a brief illness. He was the husband of Diane Heavens.
Don also leaves his son Andrew Heavens, his daughter-in-law Loreen, and his most
cherished granddaughters, Victoria and Caroline Heavens.

Don was born November 22, 1932, in Naugatuck, son of Raymond and Rose (Borasky)
Heavens. After graduating from Naugatuck High School in 1950, and completing his
service in the United States Army, Don attended General Motors Institute. In 1965 he moved to Woodbury to become the owner of Don Heavens Chevrolet. After Selling the auto dealership in 1981, Don embarked on a new career as a Realtor.
His contacts were many and led, one day in 1990, to his being offered the opportunity to own the Woodbury Antiques & Flea Market. For the next
17 years Don and Diane welcomed buyers and sellers every weekend to this popular shopping experience, until it was time to retire in 2007.

Don served as a firefighter in the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department and enjoyed the annual Veterans dinners. He was a 48-year member of the Woodbury Lions Club and was instrumental in bringing the Christmas Eve luminaries to the town in 1990. This continues today, 25 years later, as a much-loved tradition. Dons next projects were five free concerts by the U.S. Army Field Band, and the West Point Concert Band. Geraniums on the Lions Memorial Day parade float, and the American flags passed out all along the parade route, were also Don's suggestions, not to mention the years he brought the Segways!
Don had many friends throughout the town; everywhere he went he made people smile. With his family and friends, there are so many experiences to remember: Friday nights at the Chef; Cape Cod vacations with 6 other families; Christmas parties and Sunday night pizzas and wonderful house parties with friends.

Don is also survived by his sister , Shirley Ciesla of Naugatuck, his niece Cara Ciesla;his nephew Michael Ciesla and his wife Debbie and son Ian; and his sister-in-law Pamela Galgay of Belmont, MA, and her daughter Alison. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Edward Ciesla.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Dept, 25 Quassuk Rd Woodbury, CT 06798, or the Woodbury Lions Club Foundation, PO Box 314, Woodbury, CT 06798

Cemetery: New North Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A Celebration of Don's Life will take place at Munson-Lovetere on Saturday, November 7, at 10: 30 am. Burial with military honors will follow at the New North Cemetery.

Visitation: Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 pm, Friday, November 6, at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School Street, Woodbury.