Northborough – James L. Healy passed away peacefully Monday, Nov. 14, 2016 at Hearthstone of Marlborough, with family by his side. He was 95 years old. His late wife, Alice C. (Riley), died in 2005.
He leaves his children, Maureen Ferris and her husband Thomas of Riverview, Fla., Dr. James Healy and his wife Martha of Norwich, Conn., and Jack Healy and his wife Una of Holliston; his eight loving grandchildren, Michelle, Brian, Thomas and Alison Ferris, James, Matthew, Abigail and Kate Healy; and five great-grandchildren, Aidan Ferris, Alexis Ferris, James Healy, Benjamin Healy and Mallory Ferris. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Born in Marlborough and raised in Hudson, he was the son of the late Bessie (Horgan) and James L. Healy Sr. Jim graduated from Hudson High School in 1939. He continued his studies at Northeastern University by earning his B.S. in 1951 and his M.S. in 1959, both in chemical engineering. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Panama and Alaska.
Jim spent his 35-year career as a chemical engineer working for W.R. Grace, Inc. in Cambridge and Acton until his retirement in 1983. He was a jack-of-all-trades and a talented gardener, as well as an avid Red Sox fan.
The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the dedicated staff at Hearthstone and AseraCare Hospice for the outstanding care they provided to Jim in recent years.
Calling hours will be held Friday, Nov. 18, from 5-7 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. A funeral Mass of Resurrection will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m., in Jim’s childhood parish, St. Michael’s Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. He will be laid to rest with military honors beside Alice in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472.