LEWISTON – Herbert C. Hecker Jr., 77, of 27 Orchard Circle, Lewiston, died Friday, Jan. 2, at Central Maine Medical Center, following a short illness.

Born in Lewiston on Nov. 7, 1931, he was the son of Herbert Sr. and Denise Thibodeau Hecker. Educated in local schools, he was a graduate of Edward Little High School, Bates College, and received a master’s degree from Williams College.

He was employed for many years as a nuclear physicist by Westinghouse at their Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Penn. He was a pioneer in the development of solar power and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

On June 22, 1957, he married the former Cecile J. Morgan, and following his retirement from Westinghouse they made their home in Lewiston.

A member of Holy Family Parish, he was a devout Catholic and served as minister for the secular Franciscan order of St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity of Lewiston, served as a Sacristan for the 4:30 daily Masses at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and as a lector, Eucharistic minister, funeral server and pastoral care minister for Holy Family Church.

He was also a member of the American Nuclear Society.

Survivors include his loving wife of 51 years, Cecile, of Lewiston; two sons, Thomas E. and wife, Margaret, of Lexington, Ky., and John and wife, Doreen, of Manassas, Va.; a daughter, Lori Ann and husband, Thomas Potts, of Russellville, Ark.; five brothers, Ronald and wife, Marilyn, of Lewiston, Anthony and wife, Luz, of the Philippines, Gerard and wife, Barbara, of Lewiston, Michael and wife, Ruth, of Williamsburg, Va., and Joseph of Palm Harbor, Fla.; three sisters, Rose Marie and husband, Douglas Hinkle, of Quinton, Va., Sr. Mona Hecker, RSM, of Portland, and Gloria Donovan of Palm Harbor, Fla.; and four grandchildren, David Potts, Carl Hecker, Michael Hecker and Kristen Potts.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Francis, and infant, Anthony Christopher Hecker.

The family is grateful for the loving care given to Herbert by Dr. Jeffrey Brown and the staff of CMMC.