Communications executive Jim Healy
Became known to many during years spent at GE facilities in region
Jim Healy, a longtime communications executive with General Electric Co. who touched hundreds of lives in the Capital Region, died Jan. 11 in Paris after a battle with cancer. He was 56.
Healy, who was born in Brooklyn and attended Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island and the University at Buffalo, worked at GE for more than two decades, including about 15 years at GE Power in Schenectady and GE Research in Niskayuna.
He had been living in Paris at the time of his death, in the “city that he loved,” as head of communications for GE Renewables. GE took out a full-page ad in the Times Union on Wednesday announcing Healy’s passing and celebrating his life.
Linda Boff, chief marketing officer for GE, said that the
Capital Region “held a special place” in Healy’s heart.
“He was an incredible communicator whose wisdom and counsel was often sought by GE business leaders, scientists and fellow communication colleagues alike,” Boff said. “But most of all, we will remember the truly special and amazing person he was. Jim’s smile and sense of humor always brightened up a room and made us laugh. He will be deeply missed.”
Healy “fought a courageous battle against cancer,” his obituary noted. A special service celebrating his life was held Jan. 15 in Paris.
His family asked that memorial donations in Healy’s name be made for colon cancer research to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston or to the Institut Gustave Roussy, a major French cancer research center located just outside Paris.
“Jim lived his life with an incredible enthusiasm that was both undeniable and contagious,” Healy’s obituary read. “He loved and cherished his family and friends. An avid reader of history, Jim was also passionate about traveling, sailing, biking, and ice hockey and more recently, European football (i.e. soccer) and all things French, especially the food!”
Healy is survived by his wife, Kelly, his mother, Joan, of Troy, Pa., and his brothers and sister. His first wife, Kim, and his father, Francis, had previously died.