Obituary of Philip Francis Healy

Rev. Mr. Philip Francis Healy, O.C.D.S., D. Min., of Wayne, died at the age of 81 on Sunday, August 15, 2010. Loving husband of Hannah C. Healy. Cherished father of James (deceased), Mary Jo and her husband Jack Ridge, Kathleen and her husband Ralph Bianco, Joseph and his wife Mary, Teresa and her husband John Hoey and Joan and her husband Ron Wielenta. Beloved brother of James Bartholomew Healy (deceased). Son of Maurice and Johanna Healy (deceased). Cherished grandfather of ten grandchildren. Philip was born in Manhattan, NY, moved to Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland as a child and attended the Christian Brothers School then returned to New York where he attended Morris High School in the Bronx. He served in the Korean War in the Army Corp of Engineers, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. After his discharge, Phil entered C.C.N.Y. and earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1955 and graduated valedictorian. Strongly believing that a complete education would help him provide for his family, Phil continued to achieve nine other degrees: B.A. in Technical Services, B.A. of Science, B.A. in Liberal Studies, M.S. in Engineering, M.A. in Sociology, M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, Master of Divinity, Ph.D. in Engineering and Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Ministry (D.Min.). In 1985, Phil was ordained a permanent Deacon with the Diocese of Paterson, at Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Wayne, and a Deacon Chaplain at Wayne General Hospital. He was a member of the secular order of Discalced Carmelites (third order) and the Knights of Columbus. He chose to minister the sick, dying, bereaved, elderly, disabled and isolated. He served as Deacon Chaplain at the Passaic County Jail and ministered parish shut-ins and patients at Alps Manor Nursing Home. He also worked with students at the Catholic Campus Ministry Center at William Paterson College. Phil's engineering professional career was spent mainly with American Cyanamid Company, Lummus, and DeGrace and Salamone. He later went into business for himself as a consulting engineer. He spent his life in service to God and charity for mankind. He deeply valued the importance of education and religion and shared those values with his family and friends. He authored two books: "Ascent of the Simple Soul to the Sublime State of Divine Union" and "Embracing a Culture of Life: Our Hope for the Future". He was a faithful supporter in protecting the innocent lives of the unborn. He will be sadly missed for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and wisdom. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home and the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne. Visiting will be Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Interment will be at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Carmelites c/o The Carmel, 189 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 or Several Sources Shelters for Women, PO Box 157, Ramsey, NJ 07446 (201. 825.7277) or Our Lady of the Valley R.C, Church, 630 Valley Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470 (973. 634.4585).