John P. Sheehan, Jr.

John P. Sheehan, Jr. 1917 ~ 2008   John ("Jack") Paul Sheehan Jr. died on July 2, 2008 at home while in the loving care of his family. He was born in Chicopee on August 25, 1917, the son of the late Teresa (O'Neil) and John P. Sheehan. Jack was a graduate of Chicopee High School ('35) and Holy Cross College ('39) and was employed as a salesman in a number of firms, the most recent being AA Equipment.  He served in World War II at Tarawa, Guadalcanal and Saipanand retired from the service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marines. Jack was a former Member and Chairman, Chicopee Planning Board.   He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Oxfordand Tekoa Country Clubs. He was known as "Mr. Shine" for his work as an advocate for senior citizens and he was a ray of sunshine for all who knew and loved him.He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church. Jack was predeceased by his sister Marie Gilrein. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Eleanor (Savaria), his sister Claire McManus of Longmeadow, Ma, his sister-in- law Madeleine Kelly of Indiatlantic, FL and his eight children; John Sheehan of Chicopee, Michael Sheehan of Hamden Ct. and his wife Denise Saldaña, Mary Ellen Coyne of Blackstone and her husband Dennis, Teresa Dion of Brockton and her husband John, Robert Sheehan of Myrtle Beach S.C. and his wife Heather, Marguerite Sheehan of Amherst and her wife Dorothy Merriam, Stephen Sheehan of Charlestown RI and his wife Lynn and Monica Susskind of Northampton and her husband Bob. Jack also leaves his 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. There will be a funeral mass held for Mr. Sheehan at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at St. Patrick's Church, 319 Broadway, Chicopee.  Rites of Committal will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery.  There are no calling hours.  Arrangements entrusted to the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee.  The family is grateful for the help of Life Care Hospice of Holyoke. Memorial Contributions may be sent to the hospice.