OBITUARY

Brother Jerome Francis Healey, 87

The religious brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross served at the Christopher Lodge in Cocoa Beach for more than 15 years.

Published: 01.25.08

Brother Jerome Francis Healey, a religious brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross — Eastern Province, died at Holy Cross House at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., Dec. 23, 2007. He was 87 and had been ill with cancer. Brother Healey lived in Cocoa Beach from 1981 until 2007.

He was born Francis Healey on Oct. 5, 1920, in Kearny, N.J., the son of Michael and Winifred (Gannon) Healey. Following studies at St. Benedict Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., he entered the Holy Cross Congregation in November 1940. He made his first profession of vows in 1942 and final profession in 1945.

He served at the University of Notre Dame from 1942 until 1949, first at Ave Maria Press and later in the campus post office and fire department. His next assignment was at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he served as business manager of the campus bookstore until 1981.

In recognition of his years of service at King’s College, he was awarded the “Christi Regis” Medal in 1970. He is remembered also at King’s for his heroic efforts during the flooding following Hurricane Agnes in 1972 when the King’s bookstore was destroyed. In a write-up for his silver jubilee of religious profession, it was noted: “Brother Jerome rolled up his sleeves, donned his boots, invoked God’s aid, and got going. Still not content, he expended countless hours aiding refugees with food, housing and clothing.”

Brother Healey moved to Christopher Lodge, the Holy Cross residence at Cocoa Beach, in 1981. He served until 1996 in various capacities: as local superior, administrator, guest master and house archivist. In 1997 he was granted senior status. He remained at Cocoa Beach until 2007 when he moved to Holy Cross House due to declining health.

Brother Healey was well-known in the Cocoa Beach area for his friendliness and his warm hospitality at Christopher Lodge. He was an avid follower of the launches at nearby Kennedy Space Center, which he diligently documented. He is remembered by his brothers in the congregation as a faithful man of prayer and a strong contributor to community life.

He is survived by a niece, Maryanne (Healey) Farrell and her husband, Thomas, and their three children, of Frederick, N.J.; and by a nephew, Thomas Healey of Plainsboro, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents; his three siblings, Joseph, W. Loretta and Mae Healey, and by a nephew, Joseph M. Healey Jr.

A funeral was held Dec. 29, 2007. Brother Healey is buried at the Holy Cross Community Cemetery on the Stonehill College campus in Easton, Mass.

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