John D Healy

John Daniel Healy was born August 3, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York to parents John and Bridget (Mc Donald) Healy.

John Daniel Healy: equal parts Irish, New Yorker, and Texan.

John Daniel, son of Irish immigrants John and Bridget Healy, grew up with his seven siblings in Brooklyn, N.Y. His childhood in New York laid the foundation for his grit and determination, but also the importance of family.

While working in Manhattan, John met Margaret Ann “Peggy” Healy. They’d take the subway across town – back and forth between Brooklyn and the Bronx – during their courtship. They married in the Bronx on Nov. 6, 1965.

While they were engaged, John was drafted to the U.S. Army. Shortly after their wedding, the two moved to Fort Jackson, then months later, he was deployed to Vietnam.

Soon thereafter, Peggy gave birth to their first son, John Stephen. Throughout his life, John was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, but even more so recently as he shared that pride with John Stephen, who serves in the U.S. Army Reserves today.

Three years later, their second son, Kenneth, arrived. With his birth, John and Peggy decided life in fast-paced New York City wasn’t ideal for their young family. During this time, John began his career with National Cash Register (NCR). They would move to New Jersey, Atlanta, Georgia, and then a few years later, landed in Dayton, Ohio.

Though he was proud of his Irish heritage and New York roots, John always had a little cowboy in him. In his teen years, he worked at Prospect Park in Brooklyn tending to the horses.

So it was almost fate when John and Peggy moved their family once again, this time to Plano, Texas, in 1986. This is where John could let his inner cowboy shine. Those days of riding horses in Prospect Park fit quite nicely with his new collection of Stetson hats and cowboy boots.

In Texas, John continued his career with NCR as a Data Center Manager before retiring after 38 years with the company.

Retirement suited John nicely. He was an active parishioner with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus. At home, he enjoyed sitting on his covered patio next to his lovely wife, admiring their beautiful backyard pool. A hot Texas day would call for a swim in the pool, a reminder of his high school swim team days.

On weekends, John would head to the local soccer fields, where he served for more than 30 years as a referee with the Plano Youth Soccer Association.

Perhaps what made retirement even sweeter, though, was watching his grandchildren grow. John took great pride in his grandkids. His four grandchildren were his pride and joy in his later years. He loved to celebrate and brag about their latest accomplishments. Even more so, he loved playing with them in the pool, beating them in poker, playing crash cars, and using his quick wit to keep the kids giggling, even as teenagers.

What stands out most about John, though, was his compassion for others. He provided for extended family, always opened his home to family and friends, and had a knack for making people feel special.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years Margaret Ann Healy (Peggy); sons John Stephen Healy and his wife Diana, Kenneth Healy and his wife Laura; grandchildren John Mitchell Healy, Brendan, Ryan and Kelsey Healy; siblings Lily Renninger and her husband Jack, Eileen Bugiada, Kay Coffey and her husband Danny; brother in law Bill Mostkiewcz and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Edward Healy, sisters Ann McTiernan and her husband Jimmy, Ronnie Andrews and her husband Carl, Maureen Mostkiewcz and bother-in law: Joe Bugiada.

The family will receive friends for a visitation Friday, March 6, 2020 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas with The Reverend Bruce Bradley officiating. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

If desired, contributions may be sent in John's name to Plano Youth Soccer Association, 221 West Parker Rd STE 480, Plano, Texas 75023. (Checks only) or to the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Seton Knights of Columbus 7850, checks can be mailed to 2701 Piedra Dr., Plano Texas 75023.