John Anthony Heilig, Jr., 88, passed away April 1, 2026. He was the husband of Florence Mary (Freer) for 62 years on August 3, 2025.

He was born in Jamaica, NY on August 28, 1937, to the late John Sr. and Harriet (Chase) Heilig. He was predeceased by twin sisters Doris Sandberg and Marilyn Nelson.

He graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, NY, and New York City Community College, where he played on the baseball team and earned a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He won the Mathematics Medal on graduation. He also attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and Rutgers University.

He worked as a chemical lab technician for Colgate-Palmolive, IBM and Bell Laboratories, from which he retired in 1989. In a second career, he then worked for the Bethlehem Globe-Times, Automobile Quarterly, SWB advertising and the Salisbury Press.

A lifelong car enthusiast, he was the founder of the MG Car Club in New Jersey and spent many weekends rallying around the Garden State. He and his partner Dave Holt were state champions in 1965.

His freelance writing career began in 1966 and spanned 54 years, during which he wrote more than 7,000 magazine and newspaper articles and 17 books. He was awarded the prestigious Karl Benz Award by the Society of Automobile Historians for his article on Checker automobiles. His award-winning nationally syndicated weekly automobile review column ran for 36 years, during which he drove more than 2,000 cars. He was also the chief content writer for the New York International Auto Show program for 20 years and was a freelance sports reporter for The Morning Call for 19 years, during which he reported on more than 20 sports.

His appearance on Broadway in The 25th Anniversary Putnam County Spelling Bee and its revival at the Pennsylvania Playhouse was a highlight.

He was a member of Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, where he served on the consistory. He was a former Only Vice President of the Madison Avenue Sports Car Driving and Chowder Society, and a member of the International Motor Press Association and the Emmaus Senior Golf League until retiring.

He is survived by his wife, daughters Susan Spence and companion Bryan Bowles, Sharon (Lonny) Schwartz and Laura (Greg) Heilig-Trexler, and seven grandchildren: Carter, Madison and Aidan Spence; Owen and Milo Schwartz; and Emma and Ella Trexler; and his cats, Bubba and Stormy.

A memorial service will be held on Mon., April 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM in Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown. Visitation 10:00 to 11:00 AM in the church. Interment will follow in Western Salisbury Cemetery. Schantz Funeral Home, P.C., Emmaus is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown, PA 18103, or The Chip Rohrbach Foundation, 512 Seidel Run, Leesport, PA. 19533, which helps young people interested in theater.