Timothy John Healey

Timothy John Healey, a longtime resident of East Providence and the oldest child of Paul and Nancy Healey’s 10 children, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease October 7, 2023, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was 64. Born on May 25, 1959, in Boston, Tim grew up in the Rumford section of East Providence. He had Down syndrome. He was a lifelong parishioner at St. Margaret’s Church where he received all the sacraments and participated in Mass enthusiastically. He gave bear hugs at the sign of peace and had a knack for singing the hymns louder and longer than any other congregant. He always looked forward to the post-Mass run to Dunkin for chocolate-frosted donuts and coffee. Taught in the special education program of the East Providence School District until he was 18, Tim joined the adult ed program of The Arc of Blackstone Valley in 1977. He did industrial piece work for many years in an Arc workshop called Blackstone Valley Industries. As his siblings left for college, Tim remained at home, proud of his status as a breadwinner. When asked how work was going, he’d say, “Making the money.” For many years after that, he worked at the Garden at Daggett Farm in Pawtucket. It was an organization begun by a horticultural therapist who at the time worked for The Arc. At Daggett Farm, Tim was a familiar face to all who visited and he loved white spider mums, which resembled his favorite fidget toy, the Koosh ball. The Arc of Blackstone Valley enriched Tim’s life beyond words. For 31 years, he lived in group homes in Riverside and Pawtucket with roommates who became his second family: David, Eddy, and Charlie. Together they completed chores, prepared dinner, and spent countless hours listening to music, watching TV, riding in the van on day trips, and enjoying dinner out (the “meatmoaf” at Gregg’s was a favorite) and coffee and ice cream runs. They pressed each other’s buttons and loved and protected each other fiercely. When Tim would go out with family on weekends, Eddy would always ask, “Are you taking Timmy home?” Tim’s longtime roommate and foxhole friend, Charlie, in his wheelchair, visited Tim at hospice. Charlie held Tim’s hand saying, “OK, Buddy.” Tim’s family will always appreciate the caregivers, group home managers, medical staff, case managers, and agency leaders of The Arc who helped him live a full life over the past 45 years, treating him as if he were their own son or brother. Doctors’ appointments, clothes shopping, haircuts, transportation, assistance with the activities of daily life; they did it all. The words “thank you” – for the Arc staff’s decades of superior care and advocacy – simply don’t suffice.

Tim was predeceased by parents he adored and who adored him: Paul J. M. Healey MD, who he called “Big Guy” and who died in 2011, and Nancy J. Ogg Healey, termed “Cutie Pie,” who died in 2009. Both parents actively championed for equal rights for individuals with developmental disabilities. They started a golf tournament, the Blackstone Valley Open, to raise funds for The Arc of Blackstone Valley. Typically, Tim was a greeter at this event. His sister, Jennifer, served on The Arc’s board of directors from 2009 to 2012 and has served as chairperson of the agency’s Human Rights Committee since 2012. Tim is survived by younger siblings Patrick J. Healey MD of Seattle, WA; Mary-Kathryn and her husband John C. Lynch of Seekonk; Michael J. Healey and his wife Amy of Providence; Maura J. Healey of Rumford; Marthe-Anne and her husband Kevin P. Monagle of Rumford; Jennifer C. Healey-Kirby and her husband William F. Kirby of Rumford; Ellen H. and her husband Timothy B. Sullivan of Attleboro; P. Daniel Healey and his wife Jennifer of Havertown, PA; and Meghan H. and her husband Toby Collie of Scottsdale, AZ. A legion of 28 loving and attentive nieces and nephews includes Aidan and Ciaran Healey; Keenan (Shannon), Owen (Spencer), Teresa, Daniel, and Grace Lynch; Sydney, Spencer, Samuel, and Mick Healey; Timothy, Claire, Ellen, and Brendan Rogers; Anne (Andrew), Jack (Bethany), and Michael Monagle and Mary Cassini (Joseph); Paul and Patrick Brennan; Jeremiah, Luke, Ryan, and Molly Sullivan; and Onora, Maeve, and Sean Healey. Great nieces and nephews include Caroline, Catherine, Peter, and Anna Lynch and Bryn and Graeme Lynch. Also, Tim is survived by his godmother and aunt, Patricia Read, his Uncle Eugene Healey MD and Aunt Pauline Healey, and his Aunt Tonia Teresa Healey, along with many beloved first cousins.

The family thanks Tim’s countless friends for their extraordinary love, concern, and generosity of spirit throughout his life. Tim was a Special Olympian who competed in swimming, but didn’t like to leave the pool after his race. He loved to swim and could hold his breath underwater the entire length of a pool. His back-flops off the diving board after a three-count were legendary. Before he loved Pepsi, which he called “Blue Bottle,” Tim loved “Red Can” – Coke. His switch in brand loyalty around 20 years ago still mystifies. Growing up, he loved to hurl Hippity-Hops down the hill to the beach in Touisset. He loved playing the keep-the-balloon-in-the-air game. He loved “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music,” and The Beach Boys’ greatest hits. He loved bowling; no one ever rolled a bowling ball down a lane slower. He loved franks and beans, which he called “hotdogs, beans, and franks.” He loved sitting on the picnic table in the summertime listening to his AM radio. He really loved plain M&M’s. More than anything else, he loved mischief.

The wake will be held Wednesday, Oct. 11th, from 3:00-7:00 PM at Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Oct. 12th, at 11:00 AM at St. Margaret Church, 1098 Pawtucket Avenue, Rumford, with burial to follow at Mount St. Mary Cemetery, 661 Prospect Street, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Arc of Blackstone Valley, 500 Prospect Street, Wing A, Pawtucket, RI 02860 (401-727-0150).

www.OneillFuneralHomes.com