Obituary of Robert L Healy

Robert L Healy, age 92, of Kingston, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024 while watching football and enjoying some sherbert.  He was born in Boston to the late Edwin and Clementina (Giannetti) Healy.  Loving father to Christopher Healy and his wife Michelle of Marshfield, Michael Healy and his wife Cassandra of Kingston, Timothy Healy and his wife Kay of VA and the late Andrea Healy. Cherished grandfather to Sarah Donahue and her husband Alex, Kyle Healy, Dan Healy, Morgan Healy and Cole Healy and great grandfather to Eva, Lily and Zoe Donahue.  Robert was predeceased by his brothers Paul, Rich and Ken.  He is survived by a number of “favorite” nieces, nephews and friends.

Robert, who insisted on being called Bob, Gramps, Uncle Bob or Colonel, was born in Boston and grew up on Fayette St in Arlington with his parents and three brothers.  He was also known as the Fayette Flash.  After high school, Bob attended Boston College where he led the freshman hockey team in scoring.  After being unfairly snubbed for the varsity team, he left BC and served honorably as a member of the Army Military Police in Germany where he closely guarded nuclear weapons and took that secret to his grave. 

Bob then embarked on a career in the restaurant business during which he owned/operated or managed establishments including the Chalet Haut and Healy’s Place for Steak in Sugarbush, VT and the Chuck Wagon (jazz joint), Hereford House, Timothy’s, Pate’s, Dorsey’s and the Wayside Inn on Cape Cod.  He was called “the best restaurant front man” by one prominent restaurateur and was often called upon to sing Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by the lounge crowd in the latter part of the evening.  He touched many lives including the family members of the three patrons he saved by successfully executing the Heimlich maneuver.  He finished his working career as a landscaper where he took pride in his work for homeowners and in taking care of the famous rose bushes at the Red Jacket Inn. 

Bob married schoolteacher and former world traveler, Bernice Coakley in 1960.  They eventually settled on Cape Cod where they raised their four children.  Bob and Bern divorced but remained friends for the rest of their lives.  Bob also enjoyed a special relationship with Fran Lavin for a number of years and remained close to her and her extended family.  He moved to Kingston in 2016 to be closer to family and enjoyed Sunday family dinners, “book club” meetings and holiday gatherings in particular.

Bob was a voracious reader and well known to the library staffs in Yarmouth, Dennis and Kingston.  He would read 2-3 books per week and often recommend books to friends and family ranging from science fiction, detective, mysteries and historical fiction.  He was also an avid fan of the four major local sports teams, his beloved Boston College Eagles football, hockey and women’s lacrosse teams as well as men’s and women’s pro golf.  He loved playing cards, especially hearts and wist, and cherished his get-togethers with old high school buddies in later years.  He was proud of his prowess over the computer hearts app and touted a ~95% win rate as a sign of his sustained mental acuity.  He boasted that he watched about 90 different hour long shows each year and wasn’t shy about offering his opinion on anything and everything.  Bob was a lover of music, especially jazz and of course FS.  He would often drive good friend and world class pianist, Dave McKenna, to local gigs.  He was also known to regale listeners with jokes, stories and songs.  He was never at a loss for words and many people referred to him as “one of a kind”.  He was full of life and will be missed but not forgotten.

All are welcome to join the family for a Prayer Service with visiting hours from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St. Kingston, on Saturday, October 26.  A private burial will take place at Chandler Gray Cemetery in West Yarmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name may be made to the Kingston Library at 6 Green St, Kingston, MA  02364.