James Anthony Heal died peacefully at home on Monday, August 10, 2009 after a three-month struggle with cancer. His son Mark, daughter Mary Anne and Helen, his beloved wife of 46 years, were at his side to the end of this life and beginning of his new life. Jim was born March 4, 1936 in Flint, Michigan to Frank and Elizabeth Heal. His family lived in Michigan and Illinois before coming to Sedona, Arizona in 1948. They later settled in Lakeside, Arizona and eventually moved to Flagstaff.

After high school, in May 1954, Jim enlisted in the US Navy serving four years. Upon his completion of recruit training in San Diego, Jim was named Honor Man of his Company. His deployments as a Sea Bee, Construction Battalion electrician, included the Deep Freeze II project in Antarctica, projects in Guantanamo Base in Cuba, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Roosevelt Roads, Rhode Island.

In 1959 after his honorable discharge Jim attended Coyne Electric School in Chicago for fourteen months and returned to Flagstaff in 1961 where he attended Arizona State College (NAU). In 1962 Jim began his 36-year electrical construction career with NJ Shaum and Son, Inc. He was a member of Union 640, Local 2148 and served as President of the Local in the 1970's. Some of the major commercial projects on which he worked and/or supervised in Flagstaff included the US Naval Observatory, NAU's Cline Library, numerous dorms, science and engineering buildings, the campus' electrical infrastructure, and Ralston-Purina.

Upon retirement, Jim was able to devote more of his time and talents to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society and San Francisco de Asis Parish. He enjoyed inventing gadgetry, wood and metal working, motorcycling, traveling to Dallas or St. Louis and doing Sudoku puzzles. Jim was a devoted Roman Catholic, husband, father and grandfather.

Other survivors are brothers Joseph X. Heal (Marilyn), John M. Heal (Bonnie), Francis T. Heal (Rose Mary), Anthony P. Heal (Wista), sister Rosemary Decker (John), four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Holy Rosary will be held Friday, August 14, 2009 at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will also be at the church Friday, August 14, 2009 at 10:30. Burial will follow services at Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors.