James J. Healy

James (Jim) J. Healy, 77, of Naples, FL died on June 1st. He loved his family immensely, especially his wife Michelle, daughter Leigh Ann Healy Davis, son-in-law Thomas Davis, Jr. and his grandsons Kevin J Davis and Stephen P Davis.

James was born July 20th, 1945 in Boston, MA, the son of James M. Healy and Zoe M. Clodi (both deceased) In his teenage years he appreciated the love and mentorship of his step-father George Muise (also deceased).

He graduated from Boston Technical High School and received his BS in Chemical Engineering at Lowell Tech Institute (now U Mass Lowell) where he met his wife Michelle. He was actively involved in the Pershing Rifles, Squadron N 12. After college he worked as the East Coast Sales Rep for American Cyanamid; VP, Asia- Pacific and General Manager for Environmental Catalysts at Engelhard Corp; VP Sales, AP Specialty Chemicals for Honeywell; and retiring from WR Grace as President of Grace China in 2008. Through his work, he and Michelle were able to live in Singapore and Shanghai, China before retiring to York, ME and Naples, FL.

Before moving to Singapore, Jim lived for over 20 years in Westfield, NJ where he made a number of lifelong friends. Especially through CFM at Holy Trinity Church and Echo Lake Golf Club.

Jim loved to travel with Michelle and was proud to have visited over 100 countries across the globe. He and Michelle shared their love of traveling with their grandsons and they were able to visit a number of US National Parks including Denali, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore as well as trips around New England and New York.

Most summers Jim and Michelle enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Maine, often with many friends and family. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the York Golf & Tennis club where he introduced his grandson to the fun of the game. He loved having his grandsons in York, surfing the waves, learning chess, eating lobsters, and enjoying Sundaes on Sunday.

Jim was an avid Red Sox fan but was not able to sway his grandsons away from the dreaded Yankees. One of the highlights of his retirement was attending the UML Alumni Boston Red Sox spring training games in Ft. Myers, FL.

Jim actively supported the Pershing Fund for Student Veterans and served on the first Fund Advisory Council. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the University of Massachusetts Lowell in support of the General Pershing Fund for Student Veterans. Donations can be made online at www.uml.edu/givenow or mailed to: UMass Lowell Advancement Office, 45 Lawrence Drive, Lowell, MA 01854. Checks should be made payable to UMass Lowell and note that the gift is in memory of James J. Healy.

The Pershing Fund provides financial support to student veterans, ROTC cadets, and dependents of disabled veterans, and opportunities to integrate student veterans into campus life.

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