Main Content

Obituary - Chris Healy

Date

The Yellowknife Historical Society offers condolences to the family of Christopher Healy, a veteran miner in the Yellowknife area.

Christopher Healy

December 18, 1938 -  January 28, 2021

After 82 years Chris Healy passed away on January 28th, 2021 at Stanton Territorial  Hospital. In Yellowknife he leaves behind his wife Patricia, children Siobhain Mayo, Kylie and Damien/Paddy Patrick, daughter-in-law Lynda and beloved grandchildren Aidan, Declan and Conall. Far away and never forgotten he leaves much extended family across Ireland.

Chris Healy

The youngest of eight, Chris was born in County Mayo, Ireland, (yes, that's the story behind the middle name), but left at a young age to join his hero older brother Paddy (yes that's the story behind the double first names) and make his riches abroad. His career in mining in Australia introduced him to a British nurse named Patricia and promises of great careers in Canada's booming Arctic (or due to sunstroke) they both moved to Inuvik, NT in the 1970s. Though they both love tanning and the heat they eventually settled in Yellowknife and became true Northerners by buying their first trailer in Trails End.  

 Chris would go on to have successful mining careers at both Giant and Con Mines, with stops in Saudi Arabia along the way. Always driven by the biggest bonus amongst his fellow hard rock miners, and working underground 361 days one year, he'd eventually be forced to retire from mining due to the hard physical toll mining had taken on his body that would follow him throughout the rest of his life.  

 Though he made many friends and shared many drinks across the world,  Joe and John (Kim) stopping by 8 Ptarmigan were always the highlight of his week. He never got over the demise of human long distance operators as he never got the hang of direct dialing long distance and loved to catch up with Marie Shiels in Australia, fellow Mayo Man Michael Igoe and many others.  His stories of Australia, songs of Ireland and tales of gold mining were familiar to everyone that knew him. Those that knew him well knew he was passionate about hard work, politics, Budweiser (not too cold), championing the underdog and sneaking candy to his grandkids. There wasn't a charity telemarketer that didn't know his phone number. 

 Thank you to the angels from Home Care for providing such quality care. Thank you to the doctors and nurses at Stanton. Thank you to the NWT for still having such great healthcare for Seniors, allowing room for dignity and peace in passing.  

 In lieu of flowers please donate to heartandstroke.ca and in lieu of sadness raise a glass for Chris, Sláinte.

There will be a visitation at the McKenna Funeral Home on Thursday February 4th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

Send message of condolence to the family at messages@mckennafuneral.com