Richard Gabriel Healy, 64, of Walpole died after a brief illness on January 24 in St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton. He was the husband of Linda (DeLeskey) Healy for the past 39 years.
Born in Galway, Ireland, June 6, 1946, the son of Julia (Gowlan) Healy of Galway and the late Edward Healy, Mr. Healy was raised in Ireland and he came to America in 1969. He had been a resident of Walpole for the past 29 years.
Mr. Healy had been a foreman for the Archdiocese of Boston Cemeteries from 1975-1999.
Mr. Healy had been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He proudly served for many years as an usher at the 8 o’clock mass at St.Timothy’s Church.
Richard spent his days riding his bike seeking out the quiet corners of the local landscape where he could rest and fish away his afternoons. His personality is best summed up by John Steinbeck in the novel East of Eden “They called him a comical genius and carried his stories carefully home, and they wondered at how the stories spilled out the way, for they never sounded the same repeated in their own kitchens.”
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his children,
Megan Healy Alvis of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Siobhan Healy of Walpole, Brendan Healy of Manville, Rhode Island, Kathryn Healy Elliffe of County Westmeath, Ireland and Molly Healy and Elizabeth Healy, both of Walpole.
His is also survived by his siblings, Mary O’Connor of Roslindale, Thomas Healy of Weymouth, Bernadette Healy of West Roxbury and Vincent Healy of Galway.
He was the brother of the late Josephine Healy, Eamon and James Healy.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Saoirse, Patrick, Brigid, Brendan, Lucy, Maeve, Siena and Amelia.
His funeral will be held on Monday, January 31 from the Ginley Funeral Home, 892 Main St in Walpole at 9:15 followed by a funeral Mass in St. Timothy’s Church at 10:00 a.m.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Waltham.
Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Montrose School, 29 North St., Medfield, MA 02052.