Gerald P. Sheahan

1950 - 2020

Gerald P. Sheahan

Salome, AZ - Gerald P. Sheahan, of Salome, Arizona, and formerly of Southeastern Wisconsin, flew home to heaven on Wednesday, June 24, with his wife and best friend Nancy at his bedside. Gerry was born on Feb. 13, 1950, the only son of Patrick and Dorothy Sheahan. He served in the USAF from 1969 until 1973, and it was during this time that he learned to fly. He met his wife while working at the telephone company, from which he retired after 31 years. After retirement, he found satisfaction in working part time as a tour bus driver for RiteWay Transportation. It was during this time that he also became a certified aircraft A & P mechanic.

Gerry's greatest passion since boyhood was flight, and he enjoyed many years of piloting and building his own aircraft. Gerry took his first airplane ride at the age of 9, with his father piloting the plane. Years later, he was able to purchase, restore, and fly that same airplane. In 2019, this labor of love earned him the antique project of the year award from the Midwest Antique Airplane Club, of which he was a former vice president. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft and Vintage Aircraft Associations, and co-chair of the EAA's Communication center, volunteering many hours at the annual conventions in Oshkosh. Gerry had many memorable experiences as a pilot. One was flying the USAF Aeroclub Cessna across the English channel to the 24-hour race at Le Mans, France. Another was flying his Luscombe to Texas for a 5-day course with the late great aerobatic legend Frank Price. He would often entertain his passengers with the maneuvers he learned. He enjoyed many cross country flights where he and Nancy met many new people and experienced new landscapes and scenery. Most recently, he and Nancy traveled around the country in their motor home, visiting national parks, presidential libraries, and a variety of museums. Gerry fulfilled a long time dream of purchasing and living in a hangar house in the Indian Hills airpark community in Arizona.

True to his Irish heritage, Gerry was a master storyteller, and his infectious laugh will not be forgotten. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy; his sisters Judy (James) Makinen, Bonnie (Craig) Colopy, Janet (Gary) Schmidt, Bette (Scott) Schubert, and Ellen Sheahan. Also survived by his wife's sister Jeany (Roy) Wetzel, her brother David Laubenstein, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends and acquaintances that he touched over the years.

Gerry's family would like to thank the ICU staff at Banner - Boswell Medical Center for their kind and compassionate care. Special thanks to Rachel RN, who was a godsend for Nancy in Gerry's last hours. Memorial service to be announced at a future date. If so desired, memorials can be donated toward the purchase of a bench engraved with Gerry's name to the Brodhead Airport Memorial Bench Fund c/o Kelch Aviation Museum, Inc. P.O. Box 122 N2463 Airport Rd. Brodhead, WI 53520