Lawrence — Richard D. Healey, 83 of Lawrence, and former longtime Haverhill resident, died Sunday, August 19 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill.
He was born in Manchester, .H., March 9, 1929, son of the late Llewellyn and Mildred (Bray) Healey.
Mr. Healey was educated in the Haverhill school system and graduated from Haverhill High School, class of 1948.
During the Korean War Era he served in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Corporal. He served in Germany in the Army of Occupation, in the 103rd Field Artillery Battalion, where he received an Army of Occupation Medal, the Overseas Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Battalion Good Conduct Citation. For forty-eight years, he was employed in the local Oil Heat Service Industry, starting as a delivery man for the former Cranton Oil Company and then serving as Service Technician before joining the former Busfield- Cranton Oil Co. as the Service Manager. He retired in 1993 as a Service Supervisor with Whalco Oil and Petro Oil Companies. A lifetime member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, (The former Grace United Methodist Church), Haverhill, Mr. Healey was a Head Usher and served on numerous church committees. Active in the Boy Scouts of America, having recently celebrating 45 years of service which included Troop Committee Chair, Troop 7, Bradford. In 1976 he served as Troop 123, the first Council Troop to serve Special Needs Youth, as Charter Organization Representative for two years, and then as Scoutmaster for five years. He was an Ordeal member of Pasaquo Lodge #159, Order of the Arrow, and served on the Whittier District, Lone Tree Council and Yankee Clipper Executive Board member at Large. He served as joint Chair of the New England Special Needs Camporee for over 15 years.
He was the recipient of the Bennett Merker Award, for Special Needs Scouting, the Whittier District Award of Merit and a Council Silver Beaver Award. During his youth he was Demolay Past Master Council, and member of the Order of Shavalia. He was also a member of Pentucket Kiwanis Club, Haverhill where he received the Kiwanis Man of The Year.
He was the husband of the late Betty (Allen) Healey and his survivors include two sons, Lawrence “Larry” Healy and his wife Neela of Lawrence, Steven Healey and his wife Sue of Pinion Hill, Calif., and three grandchildren, Keith, Patricia, both of Haverhill and Kaitlyn Healey, of Pinion Hill, Calif. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Barbara (Allen) Vickey and her husband Richard of Riverside, Calif.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral on Friday at 11 a.m. at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Yankee Clipper Council, BSA, 36 Amesbury Road, Haverhill, MA 01830. Condolences to his family may be made at www.farmerfuneralhomes.com.
