Jerome (Buddy) Healy died early Friday morning, Sept. 9, at Massachusetts General Hospital from complications resulting from a recent surgery. He was 81 and was surrounded by his loving family and partner at the time of his death.

Jerome was born on Nov. 4, 1929, in Oak Bluffs, to the proud parents of Jerome A. Healy and Irene E. Andrade. At an early age his uncle gave him the nickname Buddy which stayed with him throughout his life. He grew up in Vineyard Haven and graduated from the Tisbury High School. After high school Buddy traveled the country with friends. In 1950, he joined the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of engineer third class, serving his time on a tanker ship during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge he attended the University of Miami and then the Barber School in Wareham, and briefly worked as a barber. He then changed professions, working as a route driver for Whiting’s Milk Company and then as a fuel delivery man for Packer Oil Company and ATSCO Oil Company. Later on, he purchased ATSCO Oil Company, successfully working the business until his retirement. He also worked at John’s Fish Market. In retirement, Buddy split his time between the Vineyard and Naples, Fla.

Buddy enjoyed playing golf, poker, dancing, singing, traveling, sports, walking, gardening, bocci and spending time with his family and friends. He recently played on the winning team in the Countryside Bocci championship. He was an avid Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics fan, rarely missing a game. He was a member of the American Legion Post 257 in Vineyard Haven and of the Holy Name Society. He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven and St. Elizabeth Seton in Naples, Fla.

Buddy was an amazing dad, papa, partner and friend. He will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Healy; son and daughter in law Jerry and Anne Healy; daughter and son in law Diane and Jimmy Hill; grandchildren Kelsey, Amber, Chase, Melissa, Christopher, Stephen and Nicole; great-grandchildren Brendon, Kaydon, Beckett, Maxwell; his life partner Lorraine Kornek; his sister Evelyn Healy and extended family Kathie and Bill Law, Jack, Caryl and Kelcey Kornek, Kristy, Ralph, Gretchen, Amanda and Todd Moser and Skip Kornek, and his many, many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Eileen Snowden and Carolyn Hines.

Services will be held on Friday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. in St. Augustine’s Church in Vineyard Haven. Immediately following the Mass a graveside burial with military honors will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.