John Hegquist, artist, Vietnam vet, 64

John Hegquist, a lifelong Long Islander who served in the Navy during Vietnam and worked as an advertising agency artist, died from cancer Monday at the Hospice Inn in Melville. He was 64.

Hegquist grew up in Levittown and lived most of his adult life in Farmingdale.

Following in the steps of his father, Peter, a World War II Navy medic, Hegquist enlisted in 1967 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam, said Martha Hegquist, his wife of 28 years.

She said he earned a National Defense Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, a Navy Achievement Medal and other awards.

In 1969, he was discharged from active duty as a hospital corpsman II.

He earned an associate degree from Farmingdale State College in 1972 and had begun studies at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan when one of his instructors got him a job, his family said.

His career started in the advertising art department at Empire Scientific, an audio equipment firm, from 1972 to 1980.

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His wife said he worked in advertising for Medicus Pharmaceutical of New York for the next 18 years, then became a consultant. He and three others later formed their own firm, Accel Health Care Pharmaceutical Advertising.

He sold his share a couple of years later and devoted himself to illustrations and painting.

"Unfortunately, that didn't pay the bills and he went back to consultancy," she said.

Martha Hegquist said her husband thrived on interacting with others and nurturing their talent.

"He was a truly giving person and great dancer," said his daughter, Allison Pallazzo of Levittown. "People loved to watch him and my stepmother dancing."

Hegquist was divorced from his first wife, Ellen Padgett.

Other survivors include his mother, Marjorie Hegquist of Levittown; daughter Lori Jones of Port Jefferson Station; a son, Matthew of Farmingdale; and three grandchildren.

A memorial gathering will take place Thursday from 12-4 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. at a family member's home in Farmingdale. The body was donated to science. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.