James C. Healey

James C. Healey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office February 7, 1956 – January 3, 1965
Preceded by	Sidney A. Fine
Succeeded by	James H. Scheuer
Constituency	22nd district (1956–63) 21st district (1963–65)
Personal details
Born	(1909-12-24)December 24, 1909 The Bronx, New York
Died	December 16, 1981(1981-12-16) (aged 71) Southampton, New York
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania St. John's University School of Law
Profession	Attorney

James Christopher Healey (December 24, 1909 – December 16, 1981) was a lawyer and Democratic Party political figure in New York. He was most notable for his nine years as a Congressman from a district based in the Bronx during the mid-20th century.

He was born in the Bronx.^[1] He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1933^[2] and St. John's University School of Law in 1936.^[3] Healey attended the University of Pennsylvania on a track and field scholarship, and was a member of relay teams that set records for the one-mile run.^[2] For several years, he was active as an official for the Amateur Athletic Union.^[2]

He was an attorney for the New York State Labor Relations Board from 1938 to 1940.^[1] He was an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1940 until 1943.^[1]

Healey joined the United States Navy for World War II; he served from 1943 to 1946, including assignment to Europe, and attained the rank of lieutenant.^[2]

From 1946 to 1948, Healey was assistant corporation counsel for the city of New York.^[1] From 1948 to 1956, he was counsel to James J. Lyons, the Bronx borough president, and was recognized as a protégé of Bronx Democratic leader Charles A. Buckley.^[2][4]

In 1956, Healey was elected to Congress in a special election held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Sidney A. Fine.^[5] He was elected to a full term in 1956, was reelected three times, and served from February 7, 1956, until January 3, 1965.^[6] Healey suffered a stroke in 1963;^[7] he recovered in time to mount a campaign for reelection in 1964, but was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination.^[8]

Healey was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1956, 1960, and 1968.^[6]

In retirement, Healey was a resident of Southampton, New York.^[2] He died there on December 16, 1981,^[2] and was buried at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Roman Catholic Cemetery in Southampton.^[1]

Healey was married twice; in 1938 he married Eleanor R. Callahan, the daughter of Bronx political figure Joseph M. Callahan.^[9] After her death in 1956, Healey married Mollie Allen, who survived him.^[2]

With his first wife, Healey was the father of four: James C., John J., Joseph, and Elizabeth Jane Healey Mulvihill.^[2]

Healey had two brothers, Thomas M., and Vincent P.; Vincent was a United States Navy officer who retired with the rank of rear admiral.^[2]

• "Eleanor Callahan Married in Church; Daughter of Justice Joseph M. Callahan Is Bride of James C. Healey". New York Times. New York, NY. September 25, 1938.
• Fitzgerald, Owen (December 1, 1960). "Federation President and 33 Alumni Elected to Congress, Courts and State Legislature". St. John's University Alumni News. Queens, NY. p. 1.
• "The Boss's Henchman". New York City Times. New York, NY. May 26, 1964.
• Sullivan, Ronald (May 28, 1964). "Schuer Pressing Healey in Bronx". New York Times. New York, NY.
• Sullivan, Ronald (June 3, 1964). "Schuer Defeats Healey in Bronx". New York Times. New York, NY.
• "James Healey Dead; An Ex-Congressman from Bronx District". New York Times. New York, NY. December 18, 1981.

• Stone, Kurt F. (2011). The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 189. ISBN 978-0-8108-5731-5.
• United States Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 1227. ISBN 978-0-16-073176-1.
• United States House of Representatives (1982). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 97th Congress. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 788.

• United States Congress. "James C. Healey (id: H000424)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• James C. Healey at Find a Grave