UPDATE: MARCH 8

The memorial service for Mr. Healy will be held at 2 p.m. at The Bridge Church, March 9. The burial services will be held at Clovis Cemetery at 11 a.m., March 11.

The family wishes that all attendees bring a written memory of Mr. Healy, or a written way that he inspired each person. Flowers and donations can be sent to the EECU, P.O. Box 5242, Fresno, CA, 93755. Payable to “James Healy Memorial Fund, account number 11858921.” Funds will go towards his three children, Jessica, Josh and Jake.

The school has provided a sign-up sheet to provide the family with 24-hour prayer throughout the week. Only the slots of 3 and 4 a.m. are still available.

As Mr. Healy was an avid cyclist, a “Mr. Healy Memorial Ride” has been set up by FresnoBikeParty Team. The ride will be eight miles long so to include as many people as possible. Everyone is instructed to wear helmets, and those under 18 are requited by law to do so. The route is currently being re-done to provide a more safe and level ride for the many first-timers attending. Check the Facebook page for more information.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The Feather regrets to inform its readers that on the morning of March 5, campus parent Jim Healy (55) passed away after a bicycle collision with a car in Fresno, CA.

The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m., when Mr. Healy was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in the Copper Ave. and Auberry Rd. area. He was then taken to Community Regional Medical Center, but despite efforts, the physicians were unable to save him.

Mr. Healy was the head of the Technology Department at Sunnyside High School, where he is also a teacher. He graduated from California State University, Fresno, in 1986 and attended The Bridge Church in Fresno, CA.

He is survived by his wife, Janine Healy, his daughter, campus senior, Jessica Healy, 18, and his two sons Josh Healy and Jake Healy.

The Feather staff offers its condolences to the Healy family and all families affected in the accident. The Feather encourages readers to leave messages for the families through the comments section below.

Principal Todd Bennett expresses the grief experienced for many campus students because of Mr. Healy’s connection with Jessica’s peers.

“We lost somebody that was very close to many of our students, especially our seniors,” Bennett said. “A lot of our seniors spent a lot of time at Jim’s house, he helped them with the NOTS {Night of the Stars} video, he opened up Sunnyside High School every Saturday for a few weeks and he was just a great guy.”

The student body was presented the news during chapel at around 9:45 a.m. where the students were given the chance to pray for the Healy family and write notes and messages for the family to read later on.

Bennett encourages those wishing to help to pray for the family and possibly take them meals, using a specific website to avoid conflicts. To help with meals visit takethemameal.com, using keyword Healy and password Healy, then click Janine Healy. Though slots are only available for a limited number, more slots will be opened later on.

“It was a very tragic accident that happened this morning, so what we can do to help the family is to pray,” Bennett said. “If you want to take them a meal, there is a website called ‘takethemameal.com,’ the key word is Healy and the password is also Healy. Once you get in, you can sign up to take a dinner to them. As far as Jessica and her family goes, the best thing to do is just let them know you love them.”

Currently no information is available about the services, but will be available in coming days. Check back later for updates and more information.

For more information, read CBS47’s article, Cyclist killed Tuesday morning in Clovis. For more news, read the March 4 article, Kid’s Day encourages community to participate.