Bob Healey, the founder of the Cool Moose Party who garnered 20% of the vote for Governor in 2014 after spending only $36, has passed away at age 58. According to reports, Healey was found dead at his home in Barrington on Monday night around 10:30pm.
Healey had also run for lieutenant governor, in 2002, 2006 and 2010, on a platform of abolishing that office. He pledged to refuse to accept a salary or hire a staff.
Robert J. Healey was born in Providence, Rhode Island to Robert J. Healey Sr. and Mary Healey. His father was a plumber and his mother a factory worker. He grew up in Warren, Rhode Island, and graduated from Warren High School in 1975. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Secondary Education from Rhode Island College, a Master’s Degree in Reading Education from Boston University (1980), a degree in law from the New England School of Law (1983), and a Master’s Degree in English Literature from Northeastern University (1985). In 1983 he began a PhD program at Columbia University, but after he had completed all the requirements, his dissertation supervisor died and he could not find a replacement.
He was elected to the Warren School Committee in 1982, serving as Chairman until 1986. He ran for Governor as an independent in 1986. After his first run for Governor, Healey was Secretary of the Bristol County Bar association.
Healey has invested in several business ventures. A liquor wholesaling company that he founded with a partner was very successful and Healey sold out his stake and invested in land in South America. He has also exported California wines to Uruguay, imported tableware from Uruguay, started an ice cream business, a wine and cheese outlet, and a yachting service. He has written a children’s book, The King Needs Sleep.
This story will be updated as we receive more information.
