The Greensheet wrote a nice obituary in honor of Richard T. Healy we thought we would share with you: July 3, 2014 Obituary: Dick Healy, Longtime AWANE Executive Director Richard T. "Dick" Healy, executive director of the Automotive Wholesalers Association of New England (AWANE) for 38 years, died June 23. He was 83. Under Healy's leadership, AWANE grew tremendously. A U.S. Air Forces veteran of the Korean War, Healy embarked on a career in the automotive industry upon returning to civilian life. He was a territory manager and then district manager for 12 years with the Walker Manufacturing Co. prior to his long tenure at AWANE. Healy also was the founder and chairman of board of the AWANE Credit Union, which became the Monadnock Community Bank; and co-founder of the AWANE Insurance Trust, the Automotive Industries Compensation Corp. and the Coalition for a Level Playing Field. George W. Wilson, retired president of the Kentucky Automotive Wholesalers Association, called Healy a natural-born leader who was passionate and not afraid to try new cures to old problems. "He was willing to share his pragmatic ideas. An example which comes to mind was the concept of providing a state association sponsored credit union for personnel of our member firms," Wilson said. "I believe our Kentucky Automotive Wholesalers Association was the first to organize a credit union for employees of association members. We all realized the need workers had for getting loans conveniently at the workplace for reasonable rates. "Theoretically, the credit union was a natural for associations. They answered a real need and would serve as another way to help in member retention. Dick Healy agreed as to the value of credit unions as a new member service and set up one for his association after a careful investigation. At the next AWAE meeting, and after about a year of credit union operation, Dick asked, 'Are you at a break-even point with the credit union?' Answering that our Kentucky association was not making money in the banking venture either, we both recognized that a credit union was significant as an employment fringe benefit for employees. Making a profit was unlikely for most associations." In addition to showing a willingness to try new ideas, Wilson said Healy was always willing to share his enthusiasm in motivating association members at state association conventions. "No one snoozed during a talk by Dick Healy," he recalled. "He did more than identify industry problems; he offered solutions to his listeners which they could take home and try themselves. Dick Healy was an industry leader, and he will be missed." Washington Automotive Industry Association president Thomas Janssen said Healy embodied what the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA, formerly AWAE) is: A forum of strong personalities who, in their own way, represent the members of their associations. "Dick Healy made our meetings meaningful by giving his opinions on the various topics and issues that impacted our industry and also our associations," Janssen recalled. "He challenged our positions and thinking and, in doing so, made us all stronger and wiser." Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of CAWA, came into the automotive aftermarket state/regional associations about the time Healy left the national scene. However, based on the brief time Pierini spent around him, Pierini recalled Healy as a strong family man, a passionate supporter of the automotive aftermarket and small business, and well respected among his peers. "I recall, although sometimes difficult to deal with, Dick was always a gentleman and an old-school professional," Pierini said, "and that is a complimentary statement about his character." Randal Ward, president of the Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS), called Healy one of the most unique individuals he has ever met - one who stood out among the many great people in this industry. "Every conversation was interesting, and you always wanted to listen a whole lot more than talk with

Dick," Ward said. "Dick was the veritable fountain of knowledge and experience. He challenged everything and everyone." He added that, in reading about Healy's passing, Ward learned things he didn't know about Healy and wishes he had the opportunity to talk to him about. "When Dick left ASAAA, we lost one of our strongest voices and a truly valuable resource," Ward said. "The entire group missed him and everything he brought to the table. When Dick had the floor, everyone was absolutely focused on him and hanging on every word. You might not agree with him all the time, but you respected his position and you always learned something in the process." An athlete, Healy played baseball and football in the Air Force. At the age of 50, he and his son biked from Hancock, NH to San Francisco, CA. Healy also owned Healy Husky Haven of Hancock, NH, and he and his children competed in the sport of sled dog racing for 10 years. After retirement, Healy and his wife opened and operated the Our Town Inn in Peterborough, NH. Married for 57 years, he was the husband of Elaine (Burkinshaw) Healy, as well as the father of six children: Mary-Anne Lopez of Hudson, NH; Anne-Marie Frink of Peterborough, NH; Michael R. Healy of Lowell MA; Ruth-Ellen Abdulmassih of San Francisco; Julie-Beth Bonvie of Hancock, NH; and Philip B. Healy of Brookline, MA. He also had 22 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Healy also leaves behind two brothers, Lawrence of West Roxbury, MA, and Thomas of Peterborough, NH. Publisher's Note: In my earliest days in this industry, Dick Healy was truly a mentor and a friend, willing to give me insight into how things worked within this special industry and always free to share his opinion on almost any subject that would affect his members or their businesses. In my early days on the magazine side of the business, and later, after purchasing this publication, Dick Healy always had the time to give me the back story about any issue we were reporting on and never afraid to grind his ax regarding his position on those issues. But, with that strong personality, Dick was wise and willing to listen to another perspective - as long as it was well thought out and clearly articulated. He had little patience for BS and always seemed to have a real sense of fairness that I admired. Dick Healy was a true friend to this industry, particularly to those on the distribution side. And I always felt blessed to be considered a friend of his as well. - Gary A. Molinaro