Those of you on Facebook have already heard this terrible news. Jerry Healy took his own life yesterday, depression exacerbated by alcohol being the contributing factors. I've known him for a good many years, having met him at some convention or other. I made it a point to talk to him at every other convention we attended. He was a boisterous, generous guy, and Judy and I both got a kick out of him. This news makes both of us terribly sad, and our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Jeremiah Healy, R. I. P.
Those of you on Facebook have already heard this terrible news. Jerry Healy took his own life yesterday, depression exacerbated by alcohol being the contributing factors. I've known him for a good many years, having met him at some convention or other. I made it a point to talk to him at every other convention we attended. He was a boisterous, generous guy, and Judy and I both got a kick out of him. This news makes both of us terribly sad, and our hearts go out to his family and friends.
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I've known Jerry since 2001 when I was first trying to break into this fercockta business. Terrific Boston writer, and very decent and generous man, especially with newer writers like I was back then. This is very sad news.
More sad news. I can't help but wonder if the constant news stories about Robin Williams over the past few days hasn't had an effect on those who were already suicidally inclined. Just a terrible thing to happen.
Terribly sorry, Bill (and his other friends and acquaintances). Deb's right...when one depressed and prone person makes this choice, it makes it seem that much more doable for others. Would that there was more to do for folks this far along into consideration of the deed. (As my ex-colleague, the former Lizz Smith and prone to depression herself, has recently noted, most people this depressed aren't the ones likely to pick up the phone to call a hotline, or even necessarily a friend.)
Jerry and I e mailed snarky political comments to each other three and four times a week for the past three years. I got to know him pretty well. He was one of the good ones in all respects--good and generous man and good and accomplished writer. He was a funny and generous guy and I'm sure as hell going to miss him.
He was a force of nature, loved being the center of attention... women wanted to be with him, men wanted to be like him. He was so supportive of so many of us, and he will be missed.
I knew him well enough to say hello and have a short chat, but he was always kind and funny and down-to-earth. I had no idea he was possessed by such terrible demons. I'm sad for his family and friends.
Sad. I saw him quite often at Kates Mystery Books in Cambridge. A wonderful man, often giving advice to newer writers. He would often compliment me on my choice of a first name. My heart goes out to his family and his many, many friends.
Yeah, that one was a real shock. I didn't know him more than to say hello to at conventions where he always seemed to be the center of attention. I liked his books a lot and he always seemed like a nice, friendly, helpful guy.
This is really a terrible shame.
Jeff
wow I'm stunned. Was just talking about him Wed with a friend. I remember at signings at book stores, he always stood up and shook hands. He was very nice to all. Was not aware of the depression.
Maggie Mason
I met Jeremiah Healy at a BOUCHERCON years ago. He was a great guy and always approachable. This is very sad news.
He was a warm and friendly fellow at conventions, very open to fans and quick witted and funny on panels. And he was a fine writer. This is just so sad.
A great guy and generous to qa fault. Fell out of touch after my last convention in 2003, but will miss him all the same. Never had a clue what he was going through.
Damn.
I ran into Jerry a few times at Bouchercons and the like, and we swapped a few e-mails back and forth a few years ago over something I'd written about his John Cuddy series. He just seemed so cocksure and determined whenever I ran into him, good-natured and happy, a hale fellow well met kinda guy.
The last time I saw him he was in tennis gear -- there must have been a court in the hotel. Just seemed like the kinda guy it would be fun to know better.
Damn.
This loss hurts so bad. He was the man who welcomed me at my first Bouchercon, he was running a writers workshop with Gayle Lynds on the Wednesday before Las Vegas 2003, and a friendship grew each time we met and sat at the bar. He was boisterous, generous and just made you feel good, no pretentiousness, just a "bloody good egg". His passing has shown that so many of us all feel the same, take care everyone, Ali
No eulogy of Jerry would be complete without mention of the notorious Bouchercon back in (I think) 1987, when Steve Stilwell engaged a magician for the banquet. Judy and I didn't go to the banquet, but we were standing outside the banquet room while the magician performed. He was the world's worst magician, and people were drifting out of the banquet room and escaping, one by one at first and then in groups of three or four. Jerry was in one of the groups, and when he passed by me, he said, "People are starting to lose the thin veneer of civility." It cracked me and Judy up. I've been kidding Stilwell about that for nearly 30 years now.
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