Paul David Heyman, 89

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Sarasota, Fla. – Paul David Heyman of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Providence, died Nov. 27. He had a successful career as general agent of Penn Mutual Insurance Company in Providence, mentoring and training generations of successful agents. He was also a faculty member of the University of Rhode Island Extension Division, teaching life insurance.

He also had a distinguished military career, retiring as a colonel and Judge Advocate from the United States Air Force Reserve. He served as Staff Advocate for many years at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass., winning the Air Force Commendation Medal, of which, according to his commanding officer, only one other reserve officer had been so esteemed during the previous three decades.

Before entering the life insurance business, he worked as a Judge Advocate at the Pentagon as part of a legal team that successfully prosecuted a number of major cases.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jackie Heyman (nee Cecil Jacqueline Cohen), and his three loving children, Jo Ann Greenberg of California, Hope Heyman of White Plains, N.Y. and Robert Kaplan of Chicago. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Scott, Kelly and Sarah.

Born in Brooklyn in 1926 to Benedict Charles Heyman and Anna Heyman (nee Behr), Paul Heyman matriculated at Brooklyn College at 16. Drafted out of college into the Army in 1945 during World War II, he subsequently graduated with a degree in law from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. He was admitted to the bars of Texas and New York, as well as to the Supreme Court of the United States.

A man who lead by example, he was regarded in the Rhode Island life insurance industry as an ”icon” representing the highest professional and personal standards. His, wife, children and grandchildren remember his motto: “Your word is your bond.” He was also very funny and kind.