William Creagh Heydecker
WILLIAM CREAGH HEYDECKER, son of Edward Bonaffe Heydecker, was born on September 6, 1865, at 208 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY. He married Mary Fitz Randolph Johnston (born February 13, 1870) on April 27, 1892; however, they had no children. Following this, he married Mary Augusta Storer Crane (born in 1872) on February 18, 1903, in New York City.
William received his education at the Columbia Grammar School before beginning his career with Theodore B. Starr, jewelers. Throughout his professional life, he focused on the stationery and leather goods division of the business. Later, he facilitated the consolidation of his business with Dempsey & Carroll of Union Square, reestablishing his former connection with the company. Subsequently, he joined the New York branch of the renowned Parisian jewelry house, Cartier, where he worked for 22 years. He later became associated with Marcus & Co.
In his role at Cartier, William frequently traveled to Europe in search of artistic and exceptional works in his area of expertise. Beyond his professional pursuits, he had a deep interest in heraldry and bookplates, amassing the largest collection of bookplates in the United States.
For Mary Storer Crane Heydecker, this was her third marriage. She was one of the founders of one of the first private ambulance companies in New York City. She used to ride her Clydesdale horse through Central Park every morning for her health.
William died at his residence, 10-01 157th Street, Beechhurst, Queens, on February 22, 1942 after a long illness at the age of 76. In his obituary, it states that he left a widow, the former Helen Brown. No other information.
CHILDREN:
- William Creagh Heydecker, Jr., b. July 14, 1904; d. December 8, 1974.
William Creagh Heydecker, Jr.
WILLIAM CREAGH HEYDECKER, JR., the son of William Creagh Heydecker, was born in New York City on July 14, 1904. He was the husband to Claire Elizabeth Enright (b. May, 1901; d. September, 1993) starting in 1925, with whom he had two children.
At the age of 15, he allegedly enlisted in World War I, joining the U.S. Army. Due to his tall stature, he was able to pass as 18, but his mother eventually had to intervene and pull him out. A talented inventor, he later refined the oxygen tank and much of the equipment used in ambulances during the 1940s. Together with Claire, he started an ambulance business, nearly driving the Crane Ambulance Company out of the market. However, the Hickeys—Claire’s cousins and partners in the business—made a series of critical mistakes, ultimately leading to the company’s downfall. At the age of 40, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the U.S. Navy. During this time, Pan Am’s maintenance division at Pearl Harbor handled all maintenance work for the Navy’s aircraft.
William Jr. was married seven times. He kept few ties to the family, and while his daughter Elise kept in regular touch with him, he rarely spoke to Richard. In 1971, it had been arranged that Richard Heydecker and his family would come to Thanksgiving dinner at his house. The family walked into the house and Maryann (his 7th wife) walked in after them. She told them that he had attempted suicide and they accompanied her to the hospital. It is rumored that there were other attempts as well. In 1974, he was successful. His death was a suicide. He passed away on December 8th at the age of 70. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Claire Elizabeth Enright
Claire sued him for divorce on the grounds of abandonment. It was a very bitter divorce, in which Claire got her uncle, Richard E. Enright, the former Police Commissioner of NYC, who used his resources and contacts against him. While the children were still young, Claire remarried to Gustav Roesch, who worked in a brewery. Later, she divorced him and married again to Charles E. Connell in the 1950’s and stayed married to him until her death.
She graduated as a Fine Arts major at Teachers College, Columbia University, subsequently studying with Alice Motts, Suiling Wong, and the Salmagundi Club, New York City. She exhibited widely in New York City, Rockland and Bergen Counties and received numerous awards in the areas of oils, watercolors, and graphics. She was a member of the Arts & Crafts Association of Rockland County, the Pascack Art Association, and the Hackensack Art Association. She found Rockland County, New York “very rich in historic and inspiringly beautiful material for an artist – truly an area for all seasons.” Claire died in September, 1993 in Middletown, NY.
Clare was the daughter of Patrick Enright (1866 – 1953) and Clara A. Powell. Her uncle was Richard Edward Enright (b. August 30, 1871; d. September 4, 1953), the Police Commissioner of New York City from 1918 to 1925. He was an American law enforcement officer, detective, and crime writer and served as NYPD Police Commissioner from 1918 until 1925. Claire’s uncles have interesting histories. A new section of the site will later be added for the interesting Enrights.
CHILDREN:
- Richard Creagh Heydecker, b. June 30, 1933; d. May 17, 2022
- Elise Bennett Fields, b. June 16, 1927; d.February 11, 2019
Elise Bennet Heydecker
ELISE BENNETT HEYDECKER was born and raised in New York City, attended P.S. 47 School for the Deaf. Elise was first married to Charles Joseph Rancke in 1947. She later married Donald L. Fields.
Elise worked for Pan American World Airways for over 20 years. She loved to travel and was an avid skier, skiing internationally with her family and friends. Elise was very involved in many deaf organizations, most notably the Winter Olympic Games for the Deaf when she helped her husband coordinate the events. Elise loved to laugh and socialize with her friends, who came from all parts of the globe. She was a kind, gallant woman with the heart of a United States patriot.
After Elise retired from Pan Am, she continued to do what she loved, travel and be involved with local deaf clubs. She participated in many trips to Atlantic City with the Deaf Senior Citizens Center of Midland Park, always bringing her exuberant enjoyment of life. She passed away peacefully on Monday, February 11, 2019.
Donald L. Fields
DONALD L. FIELDS was born in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. As a youth, he attended P.S. 47 School for the Deaf in Manhattan and later graduated from Atlantic Highlands Public High School. Afterwards, he attended the Trenton School for the Deaf where he studied and mastered the art of photo engraving. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 22 and took part in the restoration of the historic Henry Hudson site, today known as the Henry Hudson Trail in Highlands, N.J.
Donald served as a photo engraver for the Newark Star-Ledger, from where he retired. During his life, Donald was notably involved with sports and social organizations promoting the advancement of the deaf, beginning with the Northern Valley Club of the Deaf. In September of 2000, he established the Bergen County Deaf Senior Center of Midland Park. Donald was also involved with the United States Deaf Skiers Association, serving as president and coordinating many Winter Olympic Games for The Deaf around the world, in conjunction with the IOC and the CISS.
During their retirement, Donald and Elise continued to be world travelers – Elise was a former Pan Am employee – and adventures around the globe was a love they shared. Their travels took them to Japan, the Far East, Australia and Europe on many joyous occasions. Avid skiers, the Alps became for them, especially in their youth, a favorite and cherished destination. Later in life, they enjoyed time spent together on river cruises.
Donald passed away on Monday, August 26, 2019. Donald’s wife Elise passed away earlier the same year, 2019. They were married for 61 loving and productive years.
CHILDREN:
- Donald L. Fields, Jr., b. January 21, 1960 –
- Laura Elise Fields, b. November 14, 1962 –
GRANDCHILDREN:
- Michelle Magee and husband Ryan
- Jessica Ernest.
Donald L. Fields, Jr.
