James B. Healy

HEALY, JAMES B., 1946-2010. When “Big Jim” Healy was named a member of the 1963-64 all-city football team during his high school playing days at St. Alphonsus, the Dearborn Independent dubbed him the “sixty-minute man” for the tenacity with which he played tackle on both sides of the ball. It was a trait Jim employed in every facet of life until he died unexpectedly on November 2, 2010. A devoted husband and father, budget-conscious businessman, fly fisherman extraordinaire, staunch U-M football fan, and always the music maven, Jim Healy plowed through his adult life the way he pan-caked opposing linemen in his youth. He drove a hard bargain as a purchasing agent in a career that included stints at Kirlin Electric, Henry Ford Hospital and the City of Dearborn. He retired as a claims adjuster for AAA Michigan. In his spare time he loved to cast a line into a stream and could often be heard saying, “If there’s fish in that water, Big Jim will catch them.” Beginning in the early ‘70s, Jim made treks to Ann Arbor each fall to watch his Wolverines at every home football game with wife Carol and son Mark. And beneath it all could be heard the soundtrack that Jim painstakingly produced throughout his life. He was known to pack his iPod and portable speakers on trips to create instant parties for traveling colleagues in their rooms. On summer jaunts to the family cottage near Gladwin, neighbors instantly knew Jim was up for the weekend as he would guide a boatload of family or friends down Smallwood Lake—with the Beach Boys blasting from the boat’s considerable sound system. And as every local pub owner would attest, Jim Healy never met a karaoke machine he didn’t like. It’s easy to picture Jim Healy, dressed in his Santa Claus outfit, leading the ones he loved in a round of Polish “koledy” before dinner on Christmas Eve. It’s practically impossible to believe the fact that he is no longer with us. Jim is survived by Carol, his devoted wife of 29 years; his loyal son Mark; older brother T. Mark, Jim’s hero; many nieces and nephews; as well as hundreds of friends dating back to the old East Dearborn neighborhood where he grew up and lived his entire life. Family will receive friends Thursday 2-8pm with prayers at 6:30pm at Stanley Turowski Funeral Home, 25509 W. Warren, Dearborn Heights. In state 10am Friday St. Alphonsus Church until time of Mass at 10:30am.