From the Ithaca Journal

GROTON -- Arland L. Heffron, 84, of 103 Clark St., Groton, died Tuesday, November 26, 2002 at Cortland Memorial Hospital after a short illness.
Born October 29, 1918 in Cortland, Arland was the son of the late Lee and Bernice Lang Heffron. He was a graduate of the Cortland High School, and a Navy Veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theatre. Arland moved to Groton in 1947, founding a wholesale-retail baking business, later known as the Groton Bakery & Snack Bar. In 1953, he established Heffron Catering and Seven Valley Vending Co. Inc., providing in-plant food services and vending products to many regional manufacturing facilities. Arland retired from business in 1976, and thereafter remained active in many community activities.

Elected both Village of Groton and Town of Groton Justice in 1975, Arland continued to serve in these capacities until his passing. He was a member and Past President of the Tompkins County Magistrates Assoc., and had served as a member of the Executive Committee of the NYS Magistrates Assoc. Arland was a past member of the Groton Village Board of Trustees from 1959-67, and had served as Fire and Police Commissioner and as a member of the Groton Light Board. He also served one term as a Town Council Member.

A Rotarian for 55 years, Arland was a Paul Harris Fellow, and had served as President of the Groton Rotary Club (1959-60) and as District Governor (1966-67). He was a member of Carrington-Fuller Post 800 American Legion, the Hudson-Fulton Chapter 465 Order of the Eastern Star, and the Groton Community Church. Additionally, Arland was a former Vice President of the Tompkins County United Fund, and had coordinated the Groton Senior´s Nutrition Program. Arland was a member of the C.W. Conger Hose Company, Groton Fire Department, since 1950, and was the Department´s longest serving member.

Surviving are his daughters, Patricia (Jim) Baughman of Galesburg, Ill., and Deborah (Jim) Zartun of King Ferry; a sister, Thelma Holwig of Lakeland, FL; a brother, Bruce Heffron of Homer; several nieces and nephews. Arland is also survived by his devoted companion of recent years, Beverly Graham. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 48 years, Lucile Gates Heffron, in 1987.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00a.m. Monday, December 2, 2002 at the Groton Community Church - UCC, with the Reverend Catherine R. Vincent officiating. Private interment will be in Virgil Rural Cemetery at a later time. Friends may call at the Shurtleff Funeral Home, 103 Lincoln Ave., Groton, on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. The Groton Fire Department will offer prayers at 3:45 PM and the Carington-Fuller Post will conduct Legion Services immediately thereafter.

Contributions may be made to any one of the Groton community organizations to which Arland belonged. A true humanitarian and dedicated public servant, Arland will be fondly remembered by his many friends, acquaintances and family.