Jack Dennis Healy

Jack Dennis Healy, 76, passed away peacefully on May 30^th, 2024 at Kairos Dwelling Place in Kalamazoo after an eight month battle with cancer. Jack was born on December 8, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA to George Walter Healy and Elaine Marie (Hodges) Healy.  He lived in Springfield for most of his life, graduating from Springfield High School in 1965.  A Navy veteran, he subsequently worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant for many years and retired in 2005 with 32 years of service.  For most of his time working at the VA and for many years after his retirement, he created monthly bulletin board calendars for the PTSD unit he worked at.   He was presented with a volunteer award in 2016 recognizing his efforts in this regard.  Jack was a strong advocate for the Binder Park Zoo, and spent much of his time after retirement there, often opening the gate at 9:00 a.m. He enjoyed walking through the zoo, which he did daily, and promoted attendance at the zoo often in the community.  Meeting someone for the first time, Jack would invariably tell them he would “See you at the zoo!”  Proficient in the use of American Sign Language (ASL), Jack had been known to urge hearing challenged people to enjoy the zoo as well.  Jack is survived by his brother, George W. “Sandy” Healy II (Susan), nephew, James “Jamie” (Darlene) Healy, niece,  Kathleen “Katie” (Bill) Delaney, cousins, Michael (Sandra) Braham, Pamela Braham, Colleen Healy (Rick) Heaverly, grandnephews Garrett (Yelin) Healy and Brendan Healy and many other cousins and second cousins. Jack is also survived by long time special friends Valerie Quinn and Paul and Kim Bessler.  Jack was predeceased by his parents, grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m.  on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Binder Park Zoo.  Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org