Edward C. J. Healey Jr.

Edward C.J. Healey, Jr., 56, of Co. Wickow, Ireland, formerly of Fitchburg, died August 13, 2010 after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Ed was born in Fitchburg on February 27, 1954. He was the son of Elizabeth Healey and the late Edward C.J. Healey. Besides his mother, Elizabeth of Fitchburg, Ed leaves his companion, Aine Breathnach, and his two daughters: Meabh and Eilis of Co. Wicklow, Ireland. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Healey and his wife Nancy of Fitchburg; his two sisters: Mary Harvey and her husband Thomas of Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Jane Fluharty and her husband Timothy of Fitchburg, and many nieces and nephews.

When living in the Fitchburg area, Ed worked for Foster-Healey Real Estate and was an enthusiastic member of the Fitchburg Rotary Club. Edward graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1972 and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville as well as Fitchburg State College where he competed in track and field. Edward was a two time All American track and field hammer thrower in 1977 and 1978. Ed still holds the track and field distance records for both hammer throwing and shot put after over 30 years. Ed was an elite athlete. He was a member of the Reipas Athletic Club as well as the New York Athletic Club. He was ranked third in the U.S. in 1980 for hammer throwing when the United States boycotted the Olympics in Russia. In recent years, Ed won Irish National Championship medals and represented Ireland at an international level with the Donore Harriers Athletic Club in Dublin, Ireland.

Ed had a passion for motor sports. He was a member and racing instructor of the Porsche Club of America, SCCA Road Racing driver, SCCA Pro Rally Driver, IMSA race car driver, and Nordschleif Racing Instructor at the Nurburgring in Germany. Ed was truly generous with his knowledge and instruction. He was always enthusiastic to convey his expertise so others would share in the first hand experiences.

Funeral services were held August 16, 2010 in Ireland at the Dalkey Parish The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In lieu of any form of remembrance, an in conjunction with Edward's wishes, donations may be made to the "Edward C.J. Healey, Jr. Educational Trust" to be administered to the benefit of his two daughters c/o IC Federal Credit Union, Attn: Beth Slattery, 300 Bemis Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420.