Harry R. Heilman, 96, of Syracuse, passed away September 16, 2026. Harry was born in Old Fort, Ohio, on January 9, 1930, to Norman & Irene Heilman. He was a Navy veteran during the Korean War, a graduate of Syracuse University and worked as an Electrical Engineer at General Electric where he met Josephine Stassi Viviano, who would become his second wife. They were married for 36 years until her passing in 2009.

Harry loved boating, hunting, camping, hiking, water skiing, scuba diving, both downhill and cross country skiing, and fishing, especially with his young, adopted by marriage, nieces and nephews from the Stassi and Viviano family. He served as a scout master and Boy Scouts leader for 25 years. He was an endless tinkerer, always wanting to learn something new. In his younger days he was on the cutting edge of computers, and he started a computer lab at Salem Hyde elementary school as a volunteer, working with children to give them a leg up on math and computer software. After retirement, Harry enjoyed wood-working, playing cards with his nieces and continued his gardening with flowers and vast amounts of vegetables that he shared with family and neighbors.

Harry is survived by his son, Douglas Heilman and nephew, James Pickard from his first marriage, and step-daughter, Rose Viviano, granddaughter, Carmen Viviano-Crafts, and great-granddaughter, Ruby White. Harry had five siblings; Lois Christner, Jean Sprow, Joyce Brose (all deceased), Peggy Faunce, and Bea Vallimont. His nieces and nephews in Ohio include; John Christner, Mike Christner (deceased), Steve Sprow, Scott Sprow, Gail Vega, Sue Magdich, Kristi Johnson, Eileen (Vallimont) Tuttle (deceased), Kenneth Vallimont, Janice (Vallimont) Paradise, Irene Brose, Doug Brose, Sandy Brose, Jim Brose (deceased), Margaret Brose, Ruth Brose, Becky McCumber, Karen Pittman, Pete Brose, Patty Fry, Martha Horton, Leisa Isenberg, Troy Faunce, Todd Faunce, and Diana Roof.

A service will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at 11am at the Gang Memorial Chapel, 104 Fordham Rd, Syracuse, NY 13203. To share a memory of Harry or leave a special message for his family, please visit www.gangmemorial.com