Obituary of Richard C. Healy

Mr. Richard C. Healy, 68, of Tremont Ave, Amsterdam, passed away Saturday January 26, 2008 at Albany Medical Center Hospital with his loving family at his side. Born in Elizabeth, NJ on September 3, 1939, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Snyder Healy. He was a 1957 graduate of Minersville High School in Minersville, PA. After high school Dick enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and was honorably discharged in 1962 as a Yeoman, Second Class. Following the Coast Guard Mr. Healy focused on his education. He graduated from Union College in Schenectady with a B.A. degree in Political Science and English. He also attended Schenectady County Community College and received an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Empire State College with an A.S. degree in Business Management. He also took courses through the General Electric Company in Schenectady. Mr. Healy was employed by the Pottsville PA Republican Newspaper as a county government reporter. He also worked at the Amsterdam Recorder as a City Government Reporter and the Knickerbocker News-Union Star Paper as a County Government Reporter. He worked for several years at the General Electric Company in Schenectady as the Manager of Communications and Administrative Support Programs Large Steam Turbine-Generator Division. and was the Manager of Press Relations also for G.E. Schenectady Plant. He was the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President at one time and last worked as the Montgomery County Deputy County Administrator. Dick served three terms as Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, 1977, 1980 and 1983 served as the Chairman of the Board. Mr. Healy's contribution to his community was his passion during his life. He was a GE corporate semi-finalist for the Gerald L. Phillippe Award for Distinguished Public Service. He was a past member of the Kiwanis Club in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam Rotary Club. He was a Past Director of the United Way of Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Cancer Society. He was also a Past President, Secretary and Director of the Amsterdam Lions Club. Mr. Healy was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #209 as a 3rd Degree Knight. He was appointed by the Governor to the Mohawk Valley Development Council on January 12, 1988. Mr. Healy was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam. Dick organized the 1St Soap Box Derby sponsored by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. He also organized and founded the Junior Chamber of Commerce. Dick also had a passion for Penn State Sports and was an avid Penn State Fan. Above all Dick was a great Husband, Father and Grandfather. He simply adored his grandchildren and wanted to spend as much time with them as he could. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Louise Sagarese Healy whom he married on November 26, 1961. In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters, Michele StanleyKevin and Ms. Lisa Healy Guttenberg. Five grandchildren, Michael, Brian and Rachel Stanley and Courtney and Richard Guttenberg. One sister, Kathryn FronzaRobert. Niece and Nephew Nicole HirschmanAnthony, and Anthony Fronza. His best friend and brother, Robert Reidy and the entire Reidy family. Aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday January 30, 2008 at 11:00A.M. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, East Main St., Amsterdam. Interment will be in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday January 29, 2008 from 3:00 to 7:00P.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Albany Medical Center Foundation Heart Transplant Unit, P.O. Box 8928, Albany, NY 12208, or to St. Mary's Institute, Church St., Amsterdam, NY 12010.