Martin Healey

MARTIN L. 'MARTY' HEALEY JR. 'The Captain' Martin L. Healey of Fairlawn died peacefully at his home on April 28 2013 his 93rd birthday. Marty was born in Omaha NE on April 28 1920 to the late Martin and Anna (nee Morin) Healey. He graduated from Benson High School in Benson NE and attended both Iowa State and Creighton Universities graduating from Creighton in Omaha in 1949. That same year Marty began his 33-year career with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where he served in several management positions retiring from Goodyear International in 1982 as GIC retail marketing manager. In retirement he was active in organizing the Goodyear retirees monthly luncheon get togethers lovingly referred to as 'The White Water Club.' Fondly known to his friends as 'The Captain ' he was a veteran of World War II where he served as a Captain in the Army Air Corps from 1943-45 with the 381st Bomb Group (H) that was stationed at Ridgewell England. He was devoted to his 'comrades in arms ' and once retired attended every reunion of the 381st. Marty was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest. He loved being with people and didn't know a stranger. He was a raconteur who enjoyed telling stories and holding court always with great humor and enthusiasm. Writing was a passion and he probably would have been a sports writer once upon a time if circumstances had been different. That or an editorial writer as he often penned his many opinions in various newspapers' 'letters to the editor.' He was an avid correspondent with his friends throughout the world. He was blessed to be a pretty good athlete. He played semi-pro baseball as a catcher in Omaha and til his death baseball was his sport. He passed on the love of the game to his son Jeff who was a pitcher to Marty's catcher. When practicing throws in the backyard there was one hard and fast rule -- Jeff could not hit Marty's martini sitting next to home plate. Jeff learned not only pitching strategy but great discipline and accuracy in his pitching. Marty was a skilled tennis player and golfer and scored a thrilling 'hole in one' in October 1993 at Valley View Golf Club in Akron. When he was transferred by Goodyear to Akron he became a loyal fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Browns and a die hard Buckeyes' fan especially basketball and football. Martinis were his drink of choice and unlike James Bond he liked his martinis stirred served with gin extra dry extra cold straight up with blue cheese olives or Jeff's hand-stuffed anchovy olives. Marty loved his family above all else. He was our champion our best fan our biggest supporter and our friend. He worked hard to give each of us so much and instilled in us his love of reading his love of sports his love of travel his love of animals his sense of humor and fun and his indomitable spirit. He is survived by his wife Marcella the love of his life for 66 years; his daughters Patricia Sproul (Bill) of Denver Monica Brindley of Seattle; son Jeffery; and dearly loved grandchildren Michael and Kathryn Brindley of Seattle. 'The Captain ' our Poppa is now at peace sharing Heaven with Nicki's husband Gordon his beloved parents his sister Margaret and brother Ed and with his many friends. He's probably holding forth above with Jeff's dog the Babe on his lap and his dog Matt by his side showering us with love and good cheer -- all with a very cold very dry gin martini close to hand. Woe be the pitchers in Heaven without the accuracy to keep his drink safe. A funeral Mass to celebrate Marty's life will be held on Thursday May 2 at 11:00 AM at St. Hilary Catholic Church 2750 W. Market St. Fairlawn 44333. Burial will follow in Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in Marty's name to a charity of choice.