Joseph Healy

Sonoma County Winemaker, Joseph Alan Healy (Joe), passed away at his home in Healdsburg on August 2 after a brief but brave bout with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

Joe was a dearly loved husband, son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, friend, cat and horse Dad.

Joe was born September 9, 1955, and grew up in the San Fernando Valley which was, in his own words, "The land of swimming pools and asphalt." Joe attended Notre Dame High School where he formed lifelong friendships with his buddies while surfing, camping, and enjoying music. Music was one of Joe's great loves. Whether it was Leon Russel, The Rolling Stones, Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, the jazz piano greats, or his all-time favorites, The Beach Boys and the genius behind that group, Brian Wilson, music was the soundtrack of Joe's life. Whenever gathered with his friends, there was always music and spirited conversation about the latest discovery of some past master or the new "latest thing."

Southern California was also where he met his "best friend and staunchest supporter," Kathleen Flatley, with whom he would create and share a life filled with love, respect, courage and much humor.

Joe's love of wine led him to return to college, and Joe and Kathleen moved to Fresno where he attended Fresno State University. He double majored in Viticulture and Enology. After graduation, Joe was hired by Bella Vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley landing him and Kathleen in the heart of Wine Country. During Joe's two-decade career as Winemaker at Bella, he produced many award-winning varietals, particularly Zinfandels and Syrahs. His focus on creating excellent wines earned him great respect in the industry and lasting friendships.

Joe was especially intrigued by the lesser known Nebbiolo grape and launched his own label, "Buona Vita Cellars," producing this exceptional, age-worthy wine.

After retiring in 2019, you could usually find Joe in his elaborate home garden. He grew vegetables, fruit, and flowers for Kathleen to create gorgeous arrangements of roses, sweet peas, dahlias and more.

Joe was especially excited to have more free time to pursue his passion of playing his piano. He took advanced lessons in music theory and composition. The house was always filled with sounds of Joe playing some jazz, blues, or boogie woogie...

Luckily for Kathleen, he was also the rare husband who loved to read recipes, shop/plan meals and whip up something delicious almost every night. Joe and Kathleen spent almost 40 years together, following their dreams and building their lives and communities along the way. They always shared their home with a few kitties, whom Joe doted on and spoiled endlessly. Joe supported Kathleen's obsession with horses and only complained a little about the cost. He was often seen buying carrots on the sly...

A lifelong Dodgers fan, Joe would be parked in front of the TV, yelling for his beloved teams, (with his cat) and planned his days around Warriors' games.

During his years at Bella, Joe's friendships with his co-workers became a huge part of what he enjoyed. Every year during the holidays, he wore his Grinch hat around the winery, trying to convince the staff that he was not in the spirit. He brought individual jars of sweet peas to the ladies in the office as soon as they bloomed in his garden each spring. Anyone needing a chocolate fix in the afternoon knew they could head to Joe's office and convince him to share.

Joe is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, Kathleen, and their cats, House, Babette and Jack, and horse Peppa Rey; brothers Kane Healy (wife Pam and daughters Myra and Sutton) and Hayden Healy (wife Lynda, daughter Megan, and daughter-in-law Michelle); nieces Emily and Sara and numerous beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Brothers and sisters-in-law, John Flatley (wife Jeanne); Terry Flatley (wife Virginia); Nancy Morris (husband Ed, (d); Pat Flatley (wife Judy); Dennis Flatley ; sister-in-law CJ (Michael (d).

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Betty Healy; sister, Ann Young, Parents-in-law Martha and Jack Flatley; Nephew, Hayden Healy, Brother-in-law Michael Flatley and many beloved aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Joe's life will be held at Bella Vineyards on November 1. Contact Kathleen for details and to RSVP. Kathleen wishes to extend immense gratitude to friends, family, neighbors and colleagues who held her and Joe up during this incredibly difficult time, and continue to do so.

Donations in his name are suggested to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation (cjdfoundation.org) or Dogwood Animal Rescue.

Joseph September 9, 1955 - Healy August 2, 2025