John J. ‘Tarzan’ Healy
Year Inducted: 2007
Birthday: July 19, 1920
Died: March 10, 1995
City/Town: Concord, NH
Whenever there’s a conversation about the forefathers of Concord hockey, the name “Tarzan” always comes up.
“Tarzan” was John Healy and he left an indelible mark on several hundreds of youth hockey and high school players in the community, both for his officiating and for his coaching.
He was a lifelong resident of Concord and in 1978, after 30 years of dedicated service, John retired from officiating. During that time, he was a commanding presence on the ice, known for his fairness and broad knowledge of hockey and its rules. In 1962, he served as President of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association and earlier had designed that group’s crest, which today is still worn by referees and linesmen in 30 of the NIHOA Chapters. He also served as Referee-in-Chief of the Granite State Hockey League between 1962 and 1966.
From its 1959 inception at White Park, the Concord Youth Hockey Association had the benefit of “Tarzan’s” leadership and commitment and he was the choice to become the CYHA’s first President. He had two tenures on the Board: first from 1959 to 1966; then again from 1969 to 1971.
From 1959 to 1978 as Head Coach of the entire CYH program, he coordinated all house and travel team coaches. He also served on the Everett Arena Board of Directors from 1964 to 1966 while the facility was being planned and later while it was being constructed.
His coaching extended beyond the city’s icehouse and for the 1975-76 season, he served as Assistant Varsity Coach at St. Paul’s School, working with Head Coach Jim Stohrer.
As a player in the 1930s, John was captain of the local Millville Bruins. In the 1940s, he starred for the local Sacred Heart team, while also playing for the Boston Olympics of the Eastern Amateur League. To get himself back and forth to Boston, he rode the milk train.
A 1938 graduate of St John’s High School, John received the nickname of “Tarzan” while he was a member of the Concord Police Department. A towering presence, he was known to be a physical force when subduing unruly patrons at local drinking establishments. When someone smilingly used the name “Tarzan” to describe him, it seemed a fitting nickname and remained with him his entire adult life. There were some who never knew that his given name was John.
John J. “Tarzan” Healy Class of 2007
Please welcome Debi Healy Hauser, accepting for her late father.
