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Father James Francis Healy, who served as the pastor of two parishes in Westchester County for nearly a quarter of a century, died April 18. He was 78.
He served as pastor of St. Vito’s, Mamaroneck, 1992-2010, and also was pastor of St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 2010-2016. He retired in 2016, and resided at St. John the Baptist, Yonkers, before moving to Edward Cardinal Egan Pavilion for retired priests in Riverdale.
He served at Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, as principal, 1988-1992, and dean of studies, 1980-1988. He was administrator of Mount St. Mary High School, Newburgh, 1977-1980, and a faculty member at Cardinal Spellman High School, the Bronx, 1969-1977.
He was parochial vicar of St. John the Evangelist, White Plains, 1967-1969, and the Church of the Magdalene, Pocantico Hills, 1967.
“He was a remarkable pastor,” said Msgr. J. Christopher Maloney, pastor of St. John the Baptist parish in Yonkers. “People just loved him. It’s a great loss to both the priesthood and parish ministry.”
Father Healy and Msgr. Maloney were students together at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, and North American College in Rome. The two were ordained in Rome in 1966.
“He always was a remarkable preacher,” Msgr. Maloney said. “He had an intellectual understanding of scripture and had a personal way of making it real for ordinary people in their lives. That’s a remarkable gift.”
Msgr. Maloney said he last spoke with Father Healy about two months ago. “He loved talking about our time in Rome. It was a happy time for him,” Msgr. Maloney said.
Born in Manhattan, he graduated from Bishop Dubois High School there and attended Iona College, New Rochelle, before entering St. Joseph’s Seminary.
He earned a licentiate in sacred theology from North American College, Rome, and a doctorate in theology from Fordham University, the Bronx.
His brother, Thomas, survives him.
Burial was April 22 in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Goshen, with Cardinal Dolan presiding. A Memorial Mass will be scheduled at a later date.
