Tributes

David Allan Heckman, 55, of Surfside Beach, died suddenly on May 4, 2008. He along with his close friend and business partner, Nelson Hardwick, owned The Charleston Café. David is survived by his beloved mother Jane of Litchfield Beach, his sister, Nancy and niece Emma Jane of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was predeceased by his father, Robert. David was born on April 12, 1953, in St. Louis, Mo. and was raised in Philadelphia, where he attended The William Penn Charter School. He joined the Boy Choir of The Episcopal Church of St. Martin in The Fields, Chestnut Hill, at age 10. He also served as Acolyte, Bellringer, Junior Vestry member and he sang with the Men's Choir. Later he attended Kalamazoo College, Temple University and The University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, where he studied for the Episcopal Priesthood. Upon returning from Jamaica, he served as Administrative Assistant to several members of the Philadelphia City Council representing both political parties. In 1976 he managed President Ford's election committee in Philadelphia and in 1978 the Botera for Governor Campaign in Eastern Pennsylvania. David enjoyed a very successful career in the cable television industry. His accomplishments include managing the successful application by Comcast Corp to provide cable in the city of Philadelphia, PA, serving on the Board of Directors of Comcast Cablevision of Philadelphia, Inc., and co-founding of the Metro Cable Cooperative. He joined Sutton Capital Associates in 1985. As manager of Sutton's Suburban Kansas City, Missouri Cable Group, he served on the Missouri Cable Television Association Board of Directors, spearheaded the statewide "Theft of Cable" legislative effort with the State Attorney General and in 1987 moved to Surfside Beach to manage the sale of Sutton's Clearview Cablevision system. On the morning before Hurricane Hugo hit Surfside in 1989, David purchased the Charleston Café from the father of another close friend, attorney, and who is now an Episcopal Priest, Edward T. Kelaher. David's service to others through this restaurant can not be adequately explained with words. His excellent service, great food, great wine, entertainment, stimulating conversations, phone calls, cards for all occasions, handwritten letters, will always be treasured by everyone whose lives were touched by this true friend. He was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Surfside Beach for 13 years where he managed many special services and also served as Lay Reader, Finance Chairman and served on its Vestry. Along with his beloved mother Jane, he became a member of Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawleys Island, where his funeral will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in memory of his life and service to the Episcopal Church he has love and served since his childhood.