Heimar, his wife, Beverly, and their grandchildren.
Heimar Niit died on October 3, 2016 after a long, courageous battle with leukemia.
Heimar was born in Saaremaa, Estonia to Marta Vält and Vladimir Niit on March 14, 1933. In 1944, Heimar and his mother escaped the island under siege by the Russians. They lived in displacement camps in northern Germany until 1950. At the age of 17, Heimar came to the United States alone, as a sponsored displaced person. With strong work ethic and perseverance, he taught himself English, completed his year of obligation to his sponsor at a chicken farm, and attended evening classes at Northeastern University. After working is way up at a garage door company, he eventually purchased the company and founded Door Systems, Inc. In 1961, he built and designed a home in Sherborn, MA and also met his wife Beverly. They married in 1963. Heimar was honored in 1985 by the Door Industry with the Joe Caputo Award, given in recognition of outstanding service and integrity. For ten years he served as an elected member to the International Door Association Board of Directors and as President for a two-year term, retiring in 2005. During these same years, Heimar served as a community leader, volunteering his creative skills and leadership talents in Sherborn, where he served on the Building Committee at Pilgrim Church, The Sherborn Community Center Board, The Town Advisory Committee, youth soccer coach for many teams, and as President of both BWL (ski league), and Boosters. He also renovated a summer home in Sagamore Beach, MA and served as President of the Colony Club there.
Heimar, cherished and loved by all, is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly, and their 4 children, Brett Louis, Heidi Niit, Lars Niit, and Krista Niit Riley along with 10 grandchildren: Kelsey, Jake, and Julia Krapf; Lexis Marsden, Erik, Abigale, and Maximus Niit; Liilia, Chase, and Emilie Riley.
Krista T. N. Riley
