He was born in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, New York, on March 26, 1949, to Denis and Mary (Hyde) Healy. Denis attended his local parish grade school and Cardinal Hayes High School and matriculated at New York University. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and American History. He went on to take a Master of Arts degree in religion at Yale Divinity School (1974) and in 1980 earned a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
In 1970, Denis joined Hospital Audiences, Inc., where he produced classical and contemporary concerts at New York State psychiatric hospitals, a service he later expanded to many New York State prisons. He subsequently joined the C.W. Shaver Company as a fundraising and development consultant and was proud to work with major arts institutions including American Ballet Theatre, Carnegie Hall, and the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. After moving to Dallas with his family in 1983, he initially served as CEO of the Dallas Ballet and later led the University of Dallas development office. He then formed his own consulting company serving arts organizations in Texas and Arkansas. From 2013, he was partner and business manager of Elise Healy + Associates, an immigration law firm, until retirement in 2021.
Denis was a complex man who loved his family. He also loved dogs, especially the rescue dogs that were part of the extended Healy clan over the years. Deeply influenced by his classical education, Denis never stopped reading and learning. While he couldn’t remotely carry a tune, he loved and responded deeply to music, especially opera. He was a serious person with a healthy sense of humor. When Denis laughed — really laughed — you could hear it in the next county. Perhaps most of all, Denis was a spiritual being. Always the first to acknowledge his flaws, his relationship with his God was the organizing principle of his life.
Denis was preceded in death by his parents and five older siblings. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elise A. Healy, his beloved children, Daniel J. Healy (Betsy) and Caroline E. Healy, and his dear grandchildren, John C. (Jack) Healy and Neve E. Healy. He is also survived by his younger brother, Paul V. Healy, his cherished niece and goddaughter, Victoria O. Newell, and many nieces and nephews. He was a faithful Catholic and a wonderful example of true service to others.
Visitation at Calvary Hill Funeral Home, April 5, 2025, 2:00 pm-6:00pm. Funeral Mass to be arranged at St. Rita Catholic Church. Memorial donations in honor of Denis may be made to Cardinal Hayes High School, Development Office, 650 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 or electronically at https://www.650cardinalhayes.org.
