Francis A. Healy, M.D.
December 26, 1922 - July 29, 2017
Francis A. Healy, M.D. (Frank) of Hillsborough, CA, aged 94, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2017, surrounded by his wife and family. Beloved husband of Grace (Warner) Healy for over 68 years and devoted patriarch of a large and close-knit family. He was the devoted father of nine children, Francis, Peter, Susan, Michael, Brian, Tim, Bill, Kathlin and Jeff (deceased), and caring father-in-law to their spouses, Ann Ferrigan, Virginia McCormack, Tom McMaster, Andrea Wirum, Mary Ann Morgan, Laura Malkofsky and Mark Carpenter. Dedicated grandfather to Megan (Rob Anglin), Kate (Derek Bowerman), Francis, Patrick (Emily Monea), Brendan, Grace, Scott, Carolyn (Ben Haga), Catherine, Kaitlyn (Patrick Callagy), Kelly, Trevor, Aidan, Dustin, Matthew, Sarah, Michael, Erin and Morgan, and great-grandfather to nine great grandchildren: triplets Harper, Jade and Jess, and Wren, Nicholas, Thomas, Gabriel, Clara and James.
Frank was the son of Celeste and Francis A. Healy. His father was a U.S. Marine who was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during his service in World War I. Frank graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and, thereafter, the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He was the last living member of his medical school class of 1947.
Frank met Grace Warner, the love of his life, during his residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, where Grace was a nurse. They married in New York in 1949. Frank was honorably discharged as a Captain from the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a physician during the Korean War. Thereafter, with their first three young children in tow, Grace and Frank moved to California. Frank established a thriving medical practice in Burlingame comprised of the first internal medicine specialists in the area when Peninsula Hospital opened in Burlingame in 1954. Frank and Grace’s fourth child, Michael, was the first baby boy born at Peninsula Hospital.
Frank had a long and distinguished career as a physician until his retirement in 1997. He was active as a leader in the California Medical Association and recognized for his prominent role on the subjects of bioethics and the evolving trends in medicine and the medical profession. Frank also taught medical students for many years at Stanford University’s School of Medicine.
Frank will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law and dedicated physician and friend to many. He was a genuine and inclusive patriarch who embraced all who became a part of his extended family. Frank was a larger-than-life figure – a genuine renaissance man who’s wide-ranging and eclectic interests and lifelong love of reading and learning, coupled with his quick wit, intelligence and inquiring mind made him a challenging, but fun and engaging debate partner with his family, friends and colleagues alike. He was deeply engaged in each of his family members’ many and varied pursuits, and happily and actively followed all of them in a highly personalized way. He challenged his family to strive at all times for excellence and integrity in everything they pursued. Together with Grace, Frank put family above all else and he enjoyed holding court in a fun, engaging and intellectual manner at every major family gathering.
Frank will be missed greatly and live in the hearts of those who loved him. As he said from time to time: “for everything on Earth there is a season.”
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on August 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank’s name to the Jeff Healy Scholarship Fund established at Junipero Serra High School in honor of his deceased seventh son, or to the charity of your choice.