Obituary: James Timothy Healy

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

James Timothy Healy, 60, of Santa Cruz, California passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 19, 2019 of a heart attack likely caused by a pulmonary embolism.

Jim was born on April 26, 1959, in Escanaba, Michigan, the second child of James Timothy and Mary Sanregret Healy.  The family moved to Hancock in 1964.

Jim attended St. Joseph-St. Patrick Elementary and Hancock Public schools. He graduated from both Hancock Central High and Burke Mountain Academy in 1977.  Later, he graduated from Middlebury College (BA in History and Literary Criticism) and the University of Geneva (Business and French Graduate Certification).

After graduation, Jim traveled to Europe to bike and pick grapes for the summer–he stayed for several years.  Jim worked various jobs including Camp Director at Village Camps and Research Analyst at Hewlett-Packard in Switzerland.  It was during this time that he met Leila Smith, who has been a well-loved member of the Healy family since.

In 1988, Hewlett-Packard transferred Jim to California’s San Francisco Bay Area where he later worked at Apple Computer and with several local market research firms. He and Lisa Wilcox founded HealyWilcox Marketing Group in 2000. Jim enjoyed retirement for the past twelve months.

Jim was preceded in death by grandparents Emile Omar and Gladys Bernard Sanregret, John Dee and Eleanor Thompson Healy, and Katherine Hicok Healy; his father, James Timothy Healy; Brother-in-law, Gary Joseph Houle and niece, Kelly Anne.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Sanregret Healy; sisters and brothers, Kathy Healy Houle (Jim Parks), John Sanregret Healy (Tammy), Monica Healy Maki (Dale), Anne Mary Healy, Ellen Healy Norkol (Dave), Elizabeth Healy Zorza (Chris), Colleen Healy Goodrich (Michael), Thomas Matthew Healy (Angie) and Leila Grace Smith; nieces and nephews, Molly Houle Tate (Jordan), Michael Gary Houle, Matthew James Healy, Colleen Elizabeth Healy (Bryan Vore), Sarah Marie Healy, James Daniel Healy, John Thomas Healy, Shannon Leigh Healy, Timothy Robert Norkol (Ana), Emily Norkol Langer (Zach), Mary Elizabeth Norkol, Nicholas Calvin Zorza, Katie Christa Zorza, Ellen Rose Goodrich, Sarah Healy Goodrich, Charles Michael Goodrich, Allison Elizabeth Healy, Patrick Thomas Healy and Peter John Healy…and grand-niece Juniper Mary Vore.  He is survived by his “kids”, Sumo, Tara, Buck, Daisy…and a bunch of chickens.

Jim enjoyed travel and outdoor recreation of any kind: biking, hiking, surfing, windsurfing, downhill and cross-country skiing.

Jim was known for his generosity and for his willingness to share his time and talents. His door was always open for friends and family—and everyone was considered friend or family. It is impossible to put into words what a positive influence he had on so many people. He was especially great with his nieces and nephews. Among other things, when the kids were in their early teens, he would take them to New York City to explore. He showed them things unique and different, and instilled in them an appreciation for new experiences, different cultures, and outside adventure. He taught them the importance of kindness and generosity by the way he treated others. When Jim talked about life and death, he looked at death as another “new adventure”. 

We wish you well on your new adventure, Jim. We know you’ll be curious and open-minded as always.  We miss you terribly and selfishly wish we still had you here.  We are comforted knowing that you are at peace and that your giving spirit and gentle nature will be with us forever.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be sent to the Animal Friends Rescue Project (http://animalfriendsrescue.org) or the Hancock Public Schools Foundation (http://www.hancock.k12.mi.us/school-foundation.php). 

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Corbin Eddy to officiate. Prior to the service, friends may call at the church from 9:00-9:45 a.m.

Burial will take place in the Forest Hill Cemetery.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.oneilldennisfh.com.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting the family with arrangements.