John F. Sheehan

BROCKTON — John F. Sheehan, 91, of Brockton and West Yarmouth, and a retired Brockton firefighter and World War II veteran, died Friday, Nov. 28, 2008, at Brigham and Women's Hospital after a brief illness.

John was the beloved husband of Helen M. (Donovan) Sheehan. In May, joined by their family, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

John lived most of his life in Brockton. Following high school, he lived and worked in New York in the retail business. He was also employed in numerous naval shipbuilding positions, including building nuclear submarines at the Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, Conn. ,and the Charlestown Navy Yard until 1943, when he enlisted in the Navy. As a World War II veteran, he served on the S.S. Robin Locksley and the USS Hooper Island in the Asiatic Pacific theater from 1943-1945. In 2004, he took great pride in traveling with his family to attend the World War II memorial dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C.

While in the Navy, he was appointed to the Brockton Fire Department and served from 1945-1975. He also worked for 40 years at Owens' Welding Service. Following retirement, John worked at the Brockton Credit Union as building maintenance supervisor for 10 years. He was a member of Firefighters Local 144 and proudly participated in the unveiling of the Brockton Firefighters Strand Theatre Memorial in May 2008. He was a member of VFW Post 697 of Whitman, the Irish Social Club of Boston as well as a former member of the Cardinal Spellman Parents Association. On Oct. 19, 2008, John and his wife were awarded the Sisters of Saint Joseph Medallion for their outstanding service to Cardinal Spellman High School.

John enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland to visit with relatives. Over the years, he visited Alaska, Hawaii, California, Seattle, Vancouver, Bermuda, Rome, and enjoyed many Caribbean cruises.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by one son and four daughters. He was a loving and devoted father to Claire M. of Brockton, William J. and his wife, Nancy J. Cardillo, of Acton, Rosemary of Watertown, Janet and her husband, George Drummey, of Framingham, and Margaret of Watertown. He leaves four grandchildren, Michael Drummey of New York City, Elizabeth Drummey of Framingham, Samuel Sheehan of Acton, and Svetlana Sheehan of Watertown. John also leaves a sister, Margaret Cunnane of Easton. He was the son of the late Edward D. and Celia (Cruise) Sheehan from Ireland, and brother of the late Terrance, Edward and James Sheehan, Mary McNamara and Cecelia Clark. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brockton and St. Pius X Church in South Yarmouth.

A funeral will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont St., Route 123, Brockton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours are from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Donations in John's memory may be made to the Donovan Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Cardinal Spellman High School, 738 Court St., Brockton, MA 02302, or a charity of one's choice. For condolences or directions, please visit www.conleyfuneralhome.com.