George Heckler Obituary

George B. "Barry" Heckler Jr., 78, Esteemed Delaware Attorney and Devoted Husband

George B. "Barry" Heckler Jr., 78, passed away on September 3, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on February 21, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Barry spent much of his life there before retiring to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Naples, Florida.

A graduate of Brandywine High School and Baldwin Wallace University, where he met his loving wife, Meredith "Dede" Ford Heckler, Barry began his legal studies at the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War, where he faithfully served for two years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Devens, Massachusetts. After his service, Barry returned to Dickinson to complete his law degree, launching a distinguished legal career.

In 1969, Barry married Dede, beginning a devoted partnership that lasted 56 years. In 1981, he founded Heckler & Frabizzio, a litigation defense firm in Wilmington, Delaware. For decades, he was a leader in the field of Workers' Compensation Defense, ultimately earning appointment to the Delaware Workers' Compensation Task Force by the Governor of Delaware. Before retiring in 2013, Barry and Dede loved vacationing in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, where they spent many happy summers together with family and friends. They also shared a lifelong love of animals, raising many beloved Cairn Terriers and Norwich Terriers over the years.

In retirement, Barry devoted himself to St. John's Episcopal Church, personally assisting in the restoration of its historic churchyard. Leading the charge to have long-overlooked headstones professionally excavated, cleaned, and repositioned, Barry was often seen with a shovel in hand-even while undergoing radiation treatment for prostate cancer-embodying his trademark determination and quiet humility.

Barry was predeceased by his parents, Dr. George Barrett Heckler and Christine Heckler. He is survived by his wife of 56 years; his siblings Sandra H. McCall and Jamie Belongia; sisters-in-law, Nancy F. Lonsinger and Diane F. Llewellyn and nieces and nephews. Barry will be remembered as a loving son, devoted husband, and steadfast friend-someone you could always rely on.

Services:

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, Chapel Street in Portsmouth on September 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. John's Episcopal Church in Barry's memory.

For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel