Cool Moose Founder Bob Healey Dies at 58

BARRINGTON, RI—Robert J. Healey, the founder of the Cool Moose Party, a frequent candidate for Governor and Lt. Governor, public servant, successful businessman and articulate progressive leader known for his big beard and even bigger philosophical mind, died Sunday.

He was 58.

Town Council President June Speakman said that Healey's death was discovered by a friend on Sunday night.

Healey has been synonymous with Rhode Island politics for decades, both at the state and local level, primarily for his remarkable campaigns for Governor and Lt. Governor during which he won over critics with his thoughtful critiques of the establishment.

His platform of political minimalism, respect for the Constitution, and an emphasis on free will won over supporters across the political spectrum. In 2014, he won 21 percent of the vote and was a serious contender in a Gubernatorial contest between Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, himself and the eventual winner, Gina Raimondo.

How much did Healey spend in that race? $35.

In a 2006 platform statement to wave off questions about his fitness for the job of Lt. Governor, which, if he won, would have put him in position to assume Governorship if the Governor died or was incapacitated, he said: "I acknowledge that should I be elevated to the Governor’s office I would face a General Assembly comprised of Democrats and Republicans. It serves as a blessing and as a curse.

"I have built my political career on having no political ties to the Democrats or Republicans; however, I have always strove to maintain relations with many members of 3 those parties. I have, in short, the knowledge of how politics works without having to kowtow to any party."

Healey reportedly was battling cancer.

Barrington Police Chief John LaCross said that police were dispatched to Healey's Sowams Road address at around 10:41 p.m.

Firefighters met a good friend of Healey at the door and were led to the bedroom where they found him in bed in a sleeping position.

The friend told police that he was concerned when he hadn't seen Healey and could hear his cell phone ringing in the front room of the house. He then went inside to see if Healey was sleeping, which is when he found him unresponsive and called 911.

After the 2014 campaign, Healey summarized his political life in a nutshell.

Together we shocked the system. We worked together toward a worthwhile goal and that should not be taken for granted, nor should it be minimized by political pundits. We all worked too hard to let this happen.

As such, I have pointed out where we were headed, how we could create a movement that was unforeseen, how we attempted to demonstrate good politics by our actions not by mere words. It is truly an achievement for which we all can stand tall. We were not vanquished. We were simply unable to complete the task within the prescribed format. Always remember that.

Funeral arrangements are to be announced.

Photo via: www.votehealey.com

This story is being updated.