Alvah Healy

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Alvah Thomas Healy, 88, of Oceanside, Calif., died Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the California Veterans Home in Chula Vista.

He was born Aug. 15, 1921, in New Jersey, son of Maurice and Pauline Noyse Healy. He and Rosemary Unverferth were married Dec. 7, 1952, in Lexington, Mass.

Mr. Healy was a 1976 graduate of the University of San Diego with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. He was a world-class runner with a full ride scholarship to Seton Hall when he made the decision to join the Marine Corps to defend our country during World War II.

He made the military his career. Alvah joined the U.S. Marine Corps along with his brother, Tom, in 1941. At the same time, his brother, John, was in the Navy; brother Maurice Jr. was in the Air Corps; and brother Joe was in the Coast Guard. As if that weren't enough, father Maurice Sr. didn't want to be left out of the action so he enlisted in the Marines. They were called "The Fighting Healys" United States Marine Corps. They fought for our country in three wars on four occasions, World War II, Guadalcanal, New Guinea and New Britain; Korean conflict; Inchon and Seoul; and Vietnam War twice.

Alvah returned to college after his military retirement and completed the requirements to obtain his B.A. degree. He was offered full scholarship from USD to continue his education at the graduate level but turned it down in favor of other pursuits. He enjoyed browsing the Oceanside swap meet every weekend for many years, buying, trading and selling items of interest while making new friends.

Alvah was preceded in death by sons, David Healy in 1966 and Tommy Loos in 1968, and daughter, Mary Christensen in 2006.

He is survived by Rosemary, his wife of 57 years; a son, Patrick Healy of Oceanside; five daughters, Linda Holman and Joan Greene of Oceanside, Susan Oster of St. Mary, Mo., Pauline Romero of Wildomar, Calif., Karen Brutschy of Paso Robles, Calif.; and two brothers, Thomas and John Healy of New Jersey.

Also 15 grandchildren, David Loos, Chris Greene, Nicholas Healy, Nolan Greene, Christian Sanchez and Nathan Healy of Oceanside. James Christensen of Encinitas, Megan Rose Greene of Los Angeles, Brandon Healy and Paco Healy of Las Vegas, Susan Healy of San Diego, Jonathon Brutschy and Lillyian Brutschy of Paso Robles, Joshua Romero and Monet Romero of Wildomar; 11 great-grandchildren, Leanne Loos, Ryan Greene, Hunter Loos, Jenna Loos, Natalia Healy, Wyatt Loos, Jacob Loos, Zachary Loos, Kaylee Healy, Christian Sanchez Jr., Shiloh Greene; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with graveside military honors courtesy of the VFW and Delta Team.

Miller Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.