Jeffrey Morris Heiman

It is with deep sadness, shock, and, truly utter devastation that our family mourns with you the news that Jeffrey Morris Heiman - our brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend was suddenly and prematurely taken from us last weekend.

We apologize that we’re late in posting; word spread so quickly throughout his many networks, while we were all still too much in shock and disbelief to put words to it; as if postponing the prose would make it not true.

And then the beautiful tributes and messages on multiple sites started to flow. They have poured in, literally, from around the world and our old neighborhood. The eloquent expressions of absolute heartache from so many of you echoed our own still silent voices.

One common thread: “I’ve lost my best friend.”

How many of us can ever hope to live a life that leaves behind so many people who genuinely will count us as their best friend – spanning over 60 years, thousands of miles, and multiple eras and occupations?

We have heard from childhood best friends, high school best friends, college best friends, best friends from his early radio days, best friends from his many years as a label executive, best friends from the world of professional musicians whom he supported, managed, produced, and whose careers he guided and encouraged – literally up to his very last day on earth.

And as Joe Biden would say (and I can hear Jeff giggling): “I’m not joking.” He really was the best friend – yours and ours.

There was never or ever will be a more positive, optimistic, curious, funny, non-judgmental, welcoming human to grace our lives. Ever.

He loved all music and the people who created it, and early on found a niche that allowed him to share his love with all of us. If you were a musician or a comic, you wanted Jeff Heiman in your corner. His enthusiasm was infectious and his joy while playing your cuts, his fingers tapping, and head bobbing, hooked you immediately. And he was committed. He became your biggest fan… and – before you knew it – your best friend.

He was the ethical compass, and devoted to his brothers, Larry and Ron, and to his parents. In her advancing years, he was the primary selfless caregiver to our mother, Josephine Kleiner Heiman. We all did what we could, but Jeff got the first calls and always showed up – with smoothies and tiktok videos of goofy dogs.

He was the hands-down designated favorite uncle – and he earned it by just being who he was. He rejoiced in every school honor, every sports accomplishment, every new job or recognition, and, literally, every single new video of his grand-nephew, Raffi. When Raffi’s parents-to-be got married, they asked Uncle Jeff to officiate – which he did – “by the power vested in me by the internet”.

One of his best friends with whom he spoke often wanted us to know that every conversation she had with Jeff was mostly filled with updates on his nieces and nephew. He was a constant, genuine cheerleader for them all.

So this is who we all have lost. This is who we mourn. This is almost more than we can bear – this brutal rip in the fabric of our world.

But we are resolved to honor and preserve and perpetuate his memory by trying, a little bit every day, to be just a bit more understanding, a tad more patient, a measure more supportive and accepting, and a lot more loving of those in our circle and those yet to enter it.

One niece suggested we have bracelets imprinted with “WWJD” – What Would JEFF Do?

We like it.

Jeff was buried at the Home of Peace Cemetery, in Tacoma, Washington.