Ruth Lundin, new president for 2023-24, spoke of her good fortune of being drawn into active participation at the leadership level in 2021 by past president Kevin Sixbey when Jeff Lehman was able to negotiate the easement on North Main Street to allow the placement of the entryway sign to Jamestown, something the club had wanted to do for many, many years. As the project developed, Lundin said, it was obvious the leadership skills Healey provided to the effort. During the past year, under his presidency, not only did he provide a steady hand for the organization, but behind the scenes he was also providing direction to bring the entrance sign project to completion from design to actual construction detail.

Lundin presented Healey with his past president’s pin and a special plaque in appreciation of his service as club president. Healey’s wife Betsy was also presented with a floral bouquet in appreciation of all the support she has provided during this busy year.

Joni Blackman, Foundation Committee chairman, presented Healey with his first Paul Harris Fellow Award for using his time, talent and treasure to support all the club’s activities, meetings, and projects this past year. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who have contributed, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to the Foundation.

“Your leadership, layered with kindness, and thoughtfulness are very much appreciated,” Blackman said.

Left to right: Ruth Lundin, President of the Rotary Club of Jamestown for 2023-24, John Healey, Past President of the club in 2022-23 and Betsy Healey.

Healey is a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville and a graduate of the University of Mt. Union, where he also played football. He is the assistant director of the Builders Exchange of the Southern Tier & American Digital Services. Healey is married to Betsy Myott Healey and they are the parents of four sons. The family lives in Bemus Point. Mrs. Healey’s grandfather, Peter Kote, local real estate broker and owner of Bud’s Carriage House, was a fifty-year member of the Rotary Club of Jamestown.