Brendan Ambrose Heslin

Tiverton, RI - Brendan Ambrose Heslin, age 103, of Tiverton, RI, died on March 2, 2024. He was the husband of the late Irene (Lavigne) Heslin for 66 years until her passing in 2019.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on October 12, 1920, Brendan was the son of Dominick and Beatrice (Carley) Heslin. He grew up in a very close Irish Catholic family, spending the majority of his youth in New York City.

He had many stories to share of his childhood in New York, including attendance at the opening ceremony of the George Washington Bridge when he was 11 years old, where he watched the governor of NY (FDR) and NJ meet in the middle of the bridge, and also brought lunch to some hungry mounted policemen. He remembered attending a parade when he was very young that included soldiers from the Civil War. With the onset of WWII, Brendan entered the Army Air Corps and served In the Pacific Theater in Saipan, leading the photography lab as a Tech Sergeant. Following discharge, he returned home to join his father and brother in the family produce business. He remained in this business, supplying stores and restaurants throughout the city until his retirement in 1990.


Brendan met Irene through a mutual friend. Soon after meeting, they were engaged and then married in April 1953.They moved to Hudson View Gardens in Manhattan where they raised four daughters until moving the family to River Edge, NJ in 1969. Following his retirement, he and Irene moved to Sea Girt, NJ where they lived for 20 years. Brendan became an active member of St. Mark's parish and his community, always present and ready to help. He remained close to his siblings and their families, whose children share wonderful memories of many happy family gatherings. Age and necessity brought Brendan and Irene to Rhode Island, where they found a welcoming community at Brookdale in Tiverton.

Brendan is survived by his four daughters, Marie Bastone and her husband James of Northbridge, MA; Regina Skudera and her husband Wayne of Jamestown, RI; Kathleen Carlson and her husband Urban of Sweden; and Christine Sibilia and her husband Christopher of Rumson, NJ. He also leaves 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Brendan was preceded in death by his beloved wife Irene Heslin; and his five siblings.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, March 8, from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00pm in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 11:00am in St. Christopher's Church, 1554 Main Road, Tiverton.


Online Tribute at www.memorialfuneralhome.com