Obituary of Rev. William B. Healey

Reverend William B. Healey, Pastor Emeritus of Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley, and a resident of Villa Saint Joseph, Dunmore, died on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Father Healey, son of the late William Bernard and Pauline Bruder Healey, was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, on January 25, 1930. He received his early education at St. Ann's Academy, Saint John the Evangelist Elementary School and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Wilkes-Barre. He attended college at Saint Bonaventure in Saint Bonaventure, New York, and completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Father Healey was ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1955, in Harrisburg, by the Most Reverend George L. Leech, D.D., J.C.L., late Bishop of Harrisburg. Following ordination, Father Healey served as Assistant Pastor at Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Scranton, and then at Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore. On September 5, 1972, Father Healey received his first and only Pastorate at Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, Hawley. Father Healey served his parish in Hawley for thirty-three years until his retirement and appointment as Pastor Emeritus on June 29, 2005. In addition to his parochial duties, Father Healey served the Diocese as a Spiritual Director for the Scranton Curia of the Legion of Mary. He also served on the Priests' Retirement Board from October 13, 2005 through December 31, 2007. Father Healey was a founding member of the Hawley Ecumenical Ministerium and former president and member of the Board of Directors at St. Vincent's School, Honesdale, PA. Father would have celebrated 45 years as a member of the Knights of Columbus on March 1, 2013. He was an active member of Hawley Council 797 Knights of Columbus and the Bishop Hoban Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Honesdale. Father is survived by a sister, Doris Perschau, Silver Spring, Maryland, and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Marlaine Ellsworth. Fr. Healey played basketball and baseball in high school and coached many teams in his early priesthood. He continued his interest in sports through his support of both girls' and boys' sports at Wallenpaupack Area High School and the University of Scranton. Notre Dame football and basketball have lost their greatest fan. Father, an avid golfer, was a life member of Fox Hill Country Club, Exeter, PA, and of Woodloch Springs Golf Club, Hawley, PA. Viewing will take place at Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Church, 314 Chestnut Avenue, Hawley, PA, on Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Church, on Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m., with the Reverend August Ricciardi, Dean presiding. The community is invited to attend this Mass. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, on Friday, March 1, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Church, Hawley. Viewing will also take place Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to the 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment will be in Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace Cemetery, Hawley. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Queen of Peace Cemetery Restoration Fund, 314 Chestnut Avenue, Hawley, PA 18428. Funeral arrangements made through Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA. For further information or to light a remembrance candle, go to www.teetersfuneralchapel.com.