Patrick F. Healy

Healy, Patrick F.
The root of "obituary" is the Latin word "obitus" meaning "departure". On Friday, Dec 20th, Patrick Francis Healy, speaker of Latin and student of etymology, departed from us at the age of 82. Pat's origins were in Bridgeport, CT, where he was born July 2nd, 1931, the tenth of thirteen children. He credited his large family for teaching him to share, and spent life sharing his patience, wisdom, kindness, and love. A consummate reader, he was never without a novel. Among his favorites was Don Quixote, the story of a man who battles injustice others do not see. Like Don Quixote, Pat could see humanity where others could not, and he treated all those he encountered with respect. His unconditional love knew no bounds. He created the Volunteer Probation Program in 1971, where he helped countless souls rebuild their lives. He visited their homes, took them into his own, attended their weddings, and kept in touch with them throughout his life. His generosity extended to strangers on the streets; freely giving what he had in his pockets to those in need. At home with his family, he was infinitely content, though never more so than when he could enjoy one of his wife's meals, a scotch, a detective show, and stories decorated with quips. As he helped the grandchildren with their homework, he revealed the origins of words, constructing like an ancient sage their meanings from prefixes and suffixes, revealing words are not merely what they appear to be, but have the magic to connect people. In Latin, "spir" means "breathe", and aptly Pat was fresh air - an inspiration to all and will forever be in the hearts of his wife Elizabeth of forty-three years, his children Nancie, Sondra, and Matthew, grandchildren, Skyler, Ariel, Alaina, and Joseph Patrick, brother Charles, sister Edna, Sister Mary, and many special nieces and nephews. In the spirit of Don Quixote, without ever lifting a lance, he slew many dragons. Memorial service will be held in January 4th, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Paradise Valley United Methodist 4455 E Lincoln Dr. In lieu of flowers, donations to "Feed My Starving Children" at fmsc.org are appreciated.