RON HEALEY
Date of Birth: 1937
Place of Birth: Grand Falls, NL
Inducted: 2002 (Builder Category)
Ron Healey devoted more than 25 years to officiating hockey within Newfoundland and Labrador and performed at such a high level that he is respected as one of the finest referees the province has produced. Every level of hockey, from minor to international, has benefited from the manner in which he approached his duties. With an exceptional understanding of the rules and a practical application demeanor, he allowed teams and players to compete in a fair and unbiased manner.
After a modest but rewarding playing career, it was in 1960 that he began one of the most important hockey officiating careers within the province. He was one of the officials who were welcomed by players and fans alike because of the respect he earned on the ice. His expertise allowed him to make the correct call from the correct positions in game after game after game. Local, provincial and Atlantic hockey was better because Ron Healey was the official with the whistle.
An inspirational instructor at an extremely large number of officiating clinics and officiating schools during his 20-year career, he exerted beneficial influence on a very large number of young hockey officials. He was able to instill in these officials the respect that he had for players and coaches as well as other officials.
In addition, he contributed greatly to hockey from a variety of executive positions. In 1976 he was a founding member of the Central Newfoundland Junior Hockey League and served on its executive. He filled a major role in the operation of the Bishop Falls Junior Express club and after becoming involved old-timers hockey in 1976 went on to serve as chair of the Central Newfoundland Old-timers Hockey League from 1984 to the present.