1946
Joseph
2013
Joseph "Jerry" Gerald Heiser
July 4, 1946 — November 15, 2013
Joseph “Jerry” Heiser, age 67, died November 15, 2013 at Crystal Coast Hospice House after an extended illness.
He was born in Barberton, Ohio on July 4, 1946 to Joseph Heiser and Helen Costick. He and his sisters were raised by their mother and step-father, Nick Brinzea, in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerry graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1968. He joined the US Army in 1968 and served in the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam as Specialist 4th Class from 1969 to 1970. In 1971 he worked for WTVN-TV in Columbus, Ohio and the Maryland Housing Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland. He began work as a medical illustrator for the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in 1972. Over the next few years he earned his Masters in Fine Art from George Washington University using the GI Bill. He majored in sculpture and began to show his work in juried and invitational art exhibits in Maryland and Washington DC. In 1979 he left AFRRI to learn wooden boatbuilding at the Bath Marine Museum’s Apprenticeshop in Maine. During his two years there he met his wife, Karen Baggott. They moved to Long Island in 1982 when Jerry began work as Assistant to the Director of the Town Marine Museum in Amagansett, NY. In 1985 he became the Exhibit Designer for the newly built NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC. During his time there he received numerous awards for his unique exhibits. After his retirement in 2005, he received the Southeastern Museums Conference Lifetime Achievement Award, created a woodworking shop and began a business he called “Objects of My Design”.
Jerry was well-known for his highly creative artwork which showcased his sense of humor and attention to detail. He earned several “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice” awards at the annual “Art From the Heart” exhibits sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County. In his shop he created many furniture pieces on commission, for his home and as gifts for his family. Presently, Jerry’s work may be seen at Handscapes Gallery in Beaufort, NC.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Baggott; sister Josette Cushman, sister Laurette Gillespie and her husband Robert; nephew Robert Gillespie and his wife Donel and their children Samantha, Robbie, Elizabeth and Ben; niece Jenny Nguyen and her husband Thong, and their children Alex, Elizabeth and William; nephew Jeff Cushman and his wife Tracey and son Zakkary; nephew John Cushman and his son Troy; and a cousin Laura Van Horn and her husband John.
He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Heiser, mother Helen Brinzea, step-father Nick Brinzea, brother-in-law Jim Cushman and seven feline companions.
His family greatly appreciates the loving care shown to Jerry during his illness by his friends and neighbors, caregivers, therapists, doctors, nurses, aides, emergency and medical transport personnel, and the caring staff of Crystal Coast Hospice House.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, 1300 Evans Street in Morehead City, NC. The family will receive visitors the preceding evening at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Crystal Coast Hospice House Foundation PO Box 483 Morehead City, NC 28557 or the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
He was born in Barberton, Ohio on July 4, 1946 to Joseph Heiser and Helen Costick. He and his sisters were raised by their mother and step-father, Nick Brinzea, in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerry graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1968. He joined the US Army in 1968 and served in the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam as Specialist 4th Class from 1969 to 1970. In 1971 he worked for WTVN-TV in Columbus, Ohio and the Maryland Housing Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland. He began work as a medical illustrator for the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in 1972. Over the next few years he earned his Masters in Fine Art from George Washington University using the GI Bill. He majored in sculpture and began to show his work in juried and invitational art exhibits in Maryland and Washington DC. In 1979 he left AFRRI to learn wooden boatbuilding at the Bath Marine Museum’s Apprenticeshop in Maine. During his two years there he met his wife, Karen Baggott. They moved to Long Island in 1982 when Jerry began work as Assistant to the Director of the Town Marine Museum in Amagansett, NY. In 1985 he became the Exhibit Designer for the newly built NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC. During his time there he received numerous awards for his unique exhibits. After his retirement in 2005, he received the Southeastern Museums Conference Lifetime Achievement Award, created a woodworking shop and began a business he called “Objects of My Design”.
Jerry was well-known for his highly creative artwork which showcased his sense of humor and attention to detail. He earned several “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice” awards at the annual “Art From the Heart” exhibits sponsored by the Arts Council of Carteret County. In his shop he created many furniture pieces on commission, for his home and as gifts for his family. Presently, Jerry’s work may be seen at Handscapes Gallery in Beaufort, NC.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Baggott; sister Josette Cushman, sister Laurette Gillespie and her husband Robert; nephew Robert Gillespie and his wife Donel and their children Samantha, Robbie, Elizabeth and Ben; niece Jenny Nguyen and her husband Thong, and their children Alex, Elizabeth and William; nephew Jeff Cushman and his wife Tracey and son Zakkary; nephew John Cushman and his son Troy; and a cousin Laura Van Horn and her husband John.
He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Heiser, mother Helen Brinzea, step-father Nick Brinzea, brother-in-law Jim Cushman and seven feline companions.
His family greatly appreciates the loving care shown to Jerry during his illness by his friends and neighbors, caregivers, therapists, doctors, nurses, aides, emergency and medical transport personnel, and the caring staff of Crystal Coast Hospice House.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Unitarian Coastal Fellowship, 1300 Evans Street in Morehead City, NC. The family will receive visitors the preceding evening at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Crystal Coast Hospice House Foundation PO Box 483 Morehead City, NC 28557 or the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mundenfuneralhome.net
Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. of Morehead City.
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