Obituary of Halsey F. Sheffield, Jr.

Halsey Foote Sheffield, Jr. of Wyckoff, NJ passed away at the age of 80 on June 10th, 2016. A graduate of Ridgewood High School and Cornell University, he also studied graduate-level mathematics at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Halsey was a self-taught artist and guitarist and had many varied talents and passions. Beloved by those who knew him, he was a man of humor, heart, and grace. He will be remembered with great love by his seven children and sixteen grandchildren. Halsey is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Sheila Davis Sheffield, his devoted brother George and Judith Sheffield, his many children (John, Peter, Mike, Tom, Peter, Sheila, and John), their spouses (Andrea, Chrissy, Cathy, Beth, Gresham, and Liz), grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Sheffield and Davis clans. Halsey also leaves behind many friends, and countless strangers who were blessed by a run-in with his random, easy, and generous kindness and humor. Son of the late Halsey Foote Sheffield and late Doris Ameli and his beloved stepmother the late Suzi Sheffield, Halsey was born in Paterson, NJ on March 2, 1936. He started his career at IBM and Lederle Labs and then worked for Itzen & Robertson construction for a decade before becoming a self-employed contractor. Halsey was an artist and carpenter who also had a gift for math, and was often thought of by many as the “nicest person I have ever met”. He loved people and caring for others, and enjoyed music, art, guitar, photography, videography, nature, and animals. Halsey’s talents and interests were many as he humorously expressed in the experience section of his resume: “ I am a Husband, Friend, Son, Father, Brother, Artist, Truck Driver, Music Lover, Woodworker, Tractor and Forklift Operator, Babysitter, Painter, Student, Teacher, Inventor, Plumber’s Helper, Photographer, Designer, Cartoonist, Ditch digger, Backhoe Operator, File Clerk, Figure Clerk, Fisherman, Guitarist(6 chords), Laboratory Assistant, Animal Lover, Veterinarian Assistant, Hiker, Swimmer, Ballplayer, Customer Serviceman, Claims Adjuster, Reader, Writer, Collector, Troubleshooter, Tree Climber, Researcher, Carpenter’s Helper, and I’ve heard I have a very good phone voice. As you can see I’ve been blessed and I’m willing to do shift work, dye my hair, grow a mustache and travel.” Funeral services will be scheduled at a later date when the season and winds are perfect to match Halsey’s spirit. Please support and pray for the scientific community to find a cure for Alzheimer's soon. Contribution’s in Halsey’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834. Arrangements were by Vander Plaat Funeral Home, (vpfh.com), Wyckoff.