R.I.P.
Thomas Ray Heels (TRH) died on 2025-12-05. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1936, the son of George Eugene Heels and Vera Ray Heels (née Vera Maude Ray). He was a graduate of Rivers Country Day School, Brookline, Massachusetts, and continued his education at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. After a hiatus, he graduated from the University of Southern Maine (USM) with a degree in Business Administration. Later, he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Nasson College, Springvale, Maine.
He was married to the love of his life, Helena Elisabet Heels (née Helena Elisabet Winter) for over 64 years. They lived in Maine most of their lives, where he had become a Junior Maine Guide at Medomak Camp, Washington, Maine, summer of 1953.
Tom worked in various businesses before entering public service with the State of Maine, where he worked in economic development. He was the Director of Economic Development for the City of Caribou, Maine, then joined the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where he ended his career. He received many awards during his career, including one for assisting the Mi’kmaq Nation (formerly the Aroostook Band of Micmacs) gain federal recognition.
After he retired, he volunteered at his local church, Coastal Community Church, Scarborough, Maine. He joined The Rock Church of Greater Portland, Scarborough, Maine, where he was active. He loved people and became a Vet2Vet Maine volunteer, visiting homebound veterans, which he enjoyed.
He is survived by:
- his wife, Helena Elisabet Heels;
- his son, Mark George Heels, and Mark’s partner Julie Ann Doughty;
- his son, Erik John Heels, and Erik’s wife Rebecca Maria Cazabon;
- his grandchild, Jennifer Elisabet Fullerton (née Jennifer Elisabet Heels), and Jennifer’s husband Peter John Fullerton;
- his grandchild, Nathanial Erik Heels;
- his grandchild, Samuel Markus Heels;
- his grandchild, Benjamin Henrik Heels and Benjamin’s partner Christopher Michael Szustak;
- his grandchild, Saffron Winter Heels;
- his grandchild, Antonino Salvator Ciampa;
- his grandchild, Federico Lorenzo Ciampa;
- his great-grandchild Annabelle Jane Fullerton; and
- his great-grandchild Simon Owen Fullerton.
He is predeceased by:
- his father, George Eugene Heels (1974-08-08);
- his mother, Vera Ray Heels (1996-03-21);
- his brother, John Lyman Heels (2007-08-07);
- his sister, Nancy Heels (circa 1956); and
- his sister, Hannah Heels Johnston (2023-12-06).
There will be visiting hours from noon to 2pm on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Hobbs Funeral Home (671 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough ME 04074), followed by a joyful celebration of life event at 2pm.
Tom started writing his autobiography, entitled “Tom’s Ramblings,” in 2012 and finished it 5+ weeks before he died. Here is an excerpt from the final chapter of Tom’s autobiography:
“Each place we’ve lived has been a new chapter in our lives. Some mistakes, but mostly sound decisions. My entire life I’ve been known to be thrifty, and I believe it has paid off.
I’m the happiest man that I met Helena, that we were married, and that we have two great sons, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. We’ve been married 64 years in 2025. Erik calls us a team–not a bad expression.
Looking back on my life, I think I was forged by adversity. I truly believe that I’ve made a difference in some people’s lives. I enjoy interacting with people and try to get to know more about them. I’ve always had a positive attitude.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed with good health, thankfully.
As we approach our 64th anniversary on August 9, 2025, we can look back on a long and happy life together. We are thankful for our sons, Mark and Erik; our grandchildren, Jennifer, Nathan, Sam, Ben, Saffron, Nino, and Freddy; and our two great-grandchildren, Annabelle and Simon. I am the patriarch of our family. My path wasn’t what I envisioned, but it has been blessed beyond measure.”
We lost a great one, but Heaven will be a bit funnier now.
