Rev William Anthony Healey, who is pastor of Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church at Clarks Summit, is a prominent and widely known resident of Lackawanna County. He was born at Dunmore, PA, 29 Apr 1877, and is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Loftus) Healey.
Both Patrick Healey and his wife were natives of County Mayo, Ireland, where they spent their early lives. After emigrating to the United States they settled in Dunmore, PA, where Mr Healey was employed as a miner by the Pennsylvania Coal Company. He died in June, 1907, and his wife died in June, 1915. Mr Healey was a Democrat, a member of St Mary's Catholic Church, and belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. To Mr and Mrs Healey were born seven children, as follows: John, a veteran of the World War; Martin, who lost his sight while in service during the Spanish-American War, lives at the United Staes Soldiers Home in Washington DC; Anna, sister of St Joseph's order, Concordia, KS; William Anthony, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, married Lewis McAloon, lives at Syracuse, NY; Agnes, in religious life Sister Delphina, Mt St Mary's College, Scranton; and Mary, in religious life Sister Theodora, Mt St Mary's College, Scranton.
The early education of William Anthony Healey was obtained in the public schools of Dunmore. He then attended Woods Business College, Scranton, and in 1899 was graduated from Epiphany College, Baltimore, MD. He entered St Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, NY, and was graduated therefrom in 1906, being ordained to the priesthood on June 31st of that year by Bishop Hoban at St Peter's Cathedral, Scranton. Reverend Healey was then assigned to St Andrew's Church at Blossburg, PA, and the following year was transferred to St Ann's Church, at Freeland, PA, where he remained one year. His next pastorate was at St Vincent's Church, Plymouth, PA, and after four years there he spent eight years as pastor of St Mary's Church, Wilkes-Barre, PA. He later served as pastor of St Juliana's Church at Rock Lake, in Wayne County, PA, and in November, 1924, came to Clarks Summit as pastor of Our Lady of the Snow Church.
Reverend Healey is active in the Knights of Columbus, Plymouth Council, of which he has served as chaplain.