The man known as Cool Moose passed away on Sunday night, March 20.

Robert J. Healey, the longtime Barrington resident, former Warren School Committee chairman and founder of Rhode Island's Cool Moose party, reportedly died in his sleep. He was 58 years old. 

Mr. Healey gained statewide attention during his runs for governor and lieutenant governor. He earned 39 percent of the vote for lieutenant governor during his 2010 campaign; had he won he planned to abolish the office.

In 2014, Mr. Healey ran for governor as a candidate of the Moderate Party and won 22 percent of the vote. He spent $38 on his campaign — the money going to a "Job Lot cell phone" and a couple of faxes. He earned nearly 1,800 votes per dollar spent, and said after the election: "If only we spent $80, we probably would have won." He added: "I'm trying to create a vision that politics doesn't have to be that way. I demonstrated that without spending any money, I wouldn't be tied to special interest groups, and wouldn't have to pay it back in tax dollars. I think that's how it should be done." 

Mr. Healey worked as an attorney and also ran an import-export business. He also previously ran The Cheese Plate restaurant on State Street in Warren. 

As a political candidate, Mr. Healey was far from traditional — he had long hair and a full beard and shared unique messages with voters:

"I may not be perfect, but I have better ideas than my opponents. If you like my ideas but not my face, just close your eyes and vote."

“Bob Healey for Lt. Governor: He won’t be there for you.”

“Rhode Island needs a lieutenant governor like a fish needs a bicycle” 

“I won't be able to give someone’s drunken, deadbeat brother-in-law a job or hire an idiot just because he or she is the son or daughter of some politically connected hack. This being so, I cannot see any reason for anyone other than myself to spend money in support of my campaign.” 

Barrington resident and longtime state senator David Bates recently spent some time with Mr. Healey during a Republican town committee event at Billy's Restaurant. Mr. Healey had attended the event to share information about how now was a good time for people to consider running for office.

Mr. Bates said that while he didn't not always agree with every message shared by Mr. Healey, he respected his passion for politics and his desire to improve the state. He said he did, however, agree with Mr. Healey's call to abolish the office of lt. governor. 

"A lot of his ideas were great," said Mr. Bates.

Barrington Town Council President June Speakman said she first met Mr. Healey when he visited the political science classes she taught at Roger Williams University. She said Mr. Healey was generous with his time and personal political experiences.

"He was wonderful with my students. He would stay for an hour and a half and talk to them," she said.

As a fellow politician, Ms. Speakman admired Mr. Healey's willingness to stand up for what he believed. 

"He was persistent and fearless," she said. "He would say whatever he wanted to say. One of his gifts was his fearlessness. I always appreciated his honesty."

Ms. Speakman said Mr. Healey, through his outspoken campaigns, was able to achieve better accountability by politicians in Rhode Island. By proposing the elimination of the lt. governor's office, he likely forced those in that office to do more with their position than simply serving as a back-up for the governor, Ms. Speakman said. 

"It's a different way of playing the watchdog role," she said. 

Ms. Speakman added: "He was an important figure in Rhode Island politics."