James N. Heald, II

WORCESTER-James (Jim) N. Heald II passed away Monday August 5, 2024 in Worcester Massachusetts from natural causes. He was 96. 

Jim is survived by his son Richard A. Heald II and his wife Eileen O’Brien and his two grandchildren Lily and Daniel Heald, his daughter Margaret E. Heald, and his sister Nina H. Webber. His wife of 48 years Margaret (Peggy) Heald predeceased him in 2016.

 A lifelong resident of Worcester, Jim was born in November of 1927 at Memorial Hospital. 

Throughout his life Jim had a deep commitment to learning. He attended the Bancroft School, graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1945, and earned a degree in engineering and business management from Yale University in 1949. His gap year in 1950 at the Heald Machine Company provided practical experience followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School class of 1952 which added to his business acumen. 

After serving as a second lieutenant in the Air Force stationed at the Hill Air Force base in Ogden Utah from 1952 to 1953, Jim returned to Heald Machine. Heald was a family business founded in Barre, Massachusetts in 1826 that specialized in woodworking and agricultural machinery. Throughout the 20th century after a move to Worcester, the Company shifted its focus to manufacturing precision grinding machines for multiple industries. In 1974, Heald was acquired by Cincinnati Milacron and the division was eventually closed in 1992. 

In a career at Heald Machine that spanned 35 years, Jim held various roles in the company including Vice President of the Grinding Division. He was immensely proud of the company’s advancements in grinding machine technology. Company innovations led to hundreds of patents and production of machines renowned globally for their durability and precision. Many continue to operate in plants around the world today. Those who worked with Jim valued his steadfast advocacy for reaching the best solution. He was highly respected as a leader and colleague for his ability to thoroughly evaluate and address both opportunities and challenges by taking what he called a ‘360 degree view of life’.

 Jim often remarked that his second career began after retiring from the Heald Machine Co. in 1986. He contributed countless hours to multiple organizations across decades of service. These included serving on the boards for the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the Worcester County Institution for Savings. 

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and three uncles who attended WPI, Jim dedicated over 30 years to serving WPI’s Board of Trustees. He was honored with the Distinguished Service award in 1999. Jim played a key role in the oversight and planning for construction projects including the Ellsworth/Fuller complex, Founders Hall and Fuller Laboratories, renovations of numerous academic buildings, the closure of West Street to better connect the campus and the new campus center. As a member of the board’s Investment Committee, he was a trusted steward for the school’s endowment. At the Worcester Art Museum, Jim employed his passion for art and collecting to advise on key acquisitions in his role on the Collections Committee. He could move effortlessly through decades and genres of work. In 2001, he was honored with the Salisbury Award for his exemplary service for the museum. He was a dedicated supporter of many Worcester organizations, including the American Antiquarian Society, the First Unitarian Church, Bancroft School, Girl’s Inc, Preservation Worcester, New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill, and the Worcester Historical Museum. 

Jim met his wife Margaret (Peggy) Cooper through mutual friends in Boston in 1964. They were married in July of 1967 in Skaneateles, NY. Building a life and family in Worcester, they enjoyed many shared interests together and with good friends. These included golf, skiing, travel, wine collecting, and a deep appreciation for the arts in many forms such as music, theater and works on paper. With Peggy’s passing in 2016, Jim’s love for her endured, and she remained a constant source of strength and comfort in his final years. Jim was a thoughtful, bright, generous and loyal gentleman. He will be remembered not only for his sharp intellect, strong work ethic and keen sense of humor but also for his near-encyclopedic memory. Jim could effortlessly recall details and events, and he had a remarkable ability to share his vast knowledge across a diverse range of subjects. While he was passionate about his own interests, he was equally eager to engage with and learn about the pursuits of others. 

In later years, Jim found immense joy and fulfillment in being a father, grandfather and friend. He loved staying informed on everyone’s latest endeavors, sharing books and articles he thought they'd enjoy and sending special gifts that not only reflected his taste but also a strong appreciation for each person's unique needs, interests and style.

 The impact of his life and legacy extends widely through his communities and will continue long after his passing. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

A private family service will be held on August 21st. A celebration of his life is being planned for September in Worcester at the First Unitarian Church. Gifts in Jim Heald’s memory can be made to the First Unitarian Church of Worcester and the Worcester Art Museum.

 Arrangements are under the care of Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester, MA.