Kenneth Patrick Sheeran

Kenneth Sheeran Obituary

Kenneth Patrick Sheeran, of Roanoke County, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at the age of 86 years. He was born in Kirkcaldy, Alberta, Canada, the son of the late James Haley Sheeran and wife, Vira Irene Towns. He was predeceased by his son, K. Barry Sheeran, daughter, Barbara Shull, also two sisters, Margaret Kinzell and Marian Benner, of Calgary, Alberta. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Dorothea Sheeran; his daughter, Carrie Lea Berkeley and husband, Norborne, of Roanoke County; two sons, Gordon Sheeran and wife, Madeleine, of Mocksville, North Carolina; Douglas Sheeran and wife, Catherine, of McLean, Virginia; one brother, Harold Sheeran and wife, Colleen, of Calgary, Alberta; and also many beloved nieces and nephews. Ken has enjoyed the love of seven grandchildren, Zachary Sheeran, Nicholas Sheeran, Carrie Jo Rigas, Teri Lyn Hudson, Christopher Simmons, Cortnie Lea Carter, Declan Sheeran; and four great-grandchildren, Becky Rigas, Andy Rigas, Josh Hudson and Nathan Carter.
After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, Ken entered the University of Alberta, graduating in Electrical Engineering. He was employed by Canadian General Electric in Peterborough, Ontario, moving to Roanoke in 1960, where he continued employment with G. E. until retirement in 1985. Ken designed and built his home in Roanoke County and enjoyed his cottage on Smith Mountain Lake.
Ken has served Valley Youth Hockey for 35 years as President, Director, and Coach; also U.S.A. Hockey as Registered Coach and referee. The latter included training programs for coaching, refereeing and game officiating for both Youth Hockey and Pro Games. At the professional level, Ken served as an off-ice official for the Roanoke Valley Rebels of the Southern Hockey League, the Virginia Lancers of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League and the Roanoke Express of the East Coast Hockey League. He was also co-ordinator of officials for the 1987 U.S.A. Olympic Festival in Greensboro. In June 2000, Ken received the Chet Stewart Award by U.S.A. Hockey at Colorado Springs, "He has exemplified the ideal official both through his charity as well as his on-ice excellence." Ken was inducted into the Roanoke Hockey Hall of Fame in January 2000.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 30, 2008 at Oakey's South Chapel with the Rev. Ronnie Morris officiating. The family will meet with friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Valley Youth Hockey, c/o Douglas Sheeran, 1227 Somerset Drive, McLean, VA 22101. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel and Crematory, 540-989-3131.

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Published by Roanoke Times from Aug. 28 to Aug. 29, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Sheeran

8 Entries

Curtis Carmack

September 9, 2008

I wanted the family to know that I just learned of Ken's passing & would like to express my sincere sympathy. I remember all of you with happy thoughts of my childhood knowing you. You all took me into your home and treated me as if I were one of your kids. I'll always remember your kindness and want you to know you're in my thoughts & prayers and I'm sorry about your loss.

Kenn Miller

August 29, 2008

Dear Sheeran Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. Many years ago, when I returned to the Roanoke Valley after my hockey career had ended, it was at Ken’s ‘strong’ urgings that I became involved as a coach with the Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey Program. Ken was unbelievably passionate about providing the opportunity for the young boys and girls in the Roanoke Valley to play the greatest game in the world……..’Hockey’. No young person who wanted the opportunity to play youth hockey was turned away. As a coach and administrator, Ken instilled in all coaches, assistants and team managers, that the young athletes were to be given every opportunity to play, improve their skill levels and most of all, be provided with an environment for them to be SAFE and have FUN. It is amazing how many of those young boys and girls that participated in the Roanoke Valley Youth Hockey program are now men and women who have grown to become doctors, accountants, business people, etc, but most of all, they grew to be just all round super people. This all came about because of the desires, energy and enthusiasm of one man who wanted to provide a sporting environment that all participants could enjoy. The memories of him spending his cold winter early mornings, long days and late evenings at the rinks in Salem, Roanoke or Vinton, not to mention those rinks in a number of surroundings states, will remain in the minds of many.

Ken was a gentleman.

He will be greatly missed.

People like Ken are too few and too far between.

Bill Goodman

August 29, 2008

Doug, I'm sorry to hear about your dads passing. I'm sure the rest of your SHOA family joins me in extending condolensces to you and your family. Your dad's impact on hockey, not only in Roanoke but in the Southeast District as well will live on for years to come.

Wayne Riley

August 28, 2008

Doug,I am very sorry to learn of your fathers death.He will be sadly missed.I used to wait on him when I worked for Kroger

Scott Laughon

August 28, 2008

Dear Sheeran family;
I am so sorry to hear of Kens death. I have fond memories of Ken from the time I was vey young in the youth hockey program. Ken was a coach and a friend to me and my family... He was a true gentlman, and patient coach. My family owened the Salem Rebles and Ken was an icon in the valley for hockey. I know it was his pation.

Beckie Sherman

August 28, 2008

Dot - and all of the Sheeran family - I am so very sorry to learn of this tragic loss. My many years of involvement with the Valley Youth Hockey program - most often as Secretary under Ken's Presidency - afforded me the opportunity to spend numerous hours sharing many experiences with Ken, including board meetings to keep the program running, fielding parents' issues and complaints in regard to players' problems on and off the ice and the quality of our coaches, as well as traveling to out of town tournaments where we often shared the responsibility of keeping track of countless kids whose families could not accompany them on the road! I was even known to help wash jerseys and equipment in Ken's driveway at the end of a season! Ken was absolutely the epitome of the Valley Youth Hockey and without him the program would have suffered a complete demise in the early 70's. I know Ken had other interests, but his determination to expose the children of the Roanoke Valley to the sport of ice hockey was first and foremost in his heart.
And my own son was one of those who loved every minute on the ice, first skating at the Salem Civic Center when he was 4, (and playing on many teams with Zach Sheeran until they both went to college!) and continuing to this day in Adult hockey programs in Richmond, where his own 2 year old son has already been on the ice and is "up close and personal" with many of the Raleigh Hurricane players! Without Ken Sheeran, Trent would never have had the chance to pursue the thrill of playing ice hockey, his own first love. Ken's competitive spirit and total devotion to the sport brought untold joy to so many children over so many years - and he will be so missed! Both as a community icon - and, most importantly, as my friend.

Please know that your family will be close in my heart during this difficult time.

Doug Parks

August 28, 2008

Please accept my sincere condolences

Grace Williams

August 28, 2008

Dear Harold. We are sorry to hear of Ken's passing but as you know, being a school friend of Ken's we are upt to that age. Please accept our condolences and please know we would enjoy a visit with you. Us "old" guys meet for coffee each morning and I will convey the message.
Take care now.
Love from Hurely and Grace(Board) Williams

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