John Edward "Sputter" Sheehan III

AUGUSTA, Ga. - John Edward "Sputter" Sheehan III, 70, of Augusta, Georgia passed from this earth on September 19, 2006. Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Father Justin Ferguson officiating, burial to follow in Westover Memorial Park. He was born on April 6, 1936 to John Edward Sheehan Jr. and Elizabeth Mitchum Sheehan. He was a graduate of Richmond Academy and The Citadel in Charleston, SC. After graduating from college Ed served in the United States Army and spent some time in Germany. Ed was a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus, and the Ancient Order of the Hibernian Society. He was also a former member of the Augusta Country Club. Ed was very proud of his Irish Heritage. For most of his life Ed was a businessman, he worked on the campaign of former Governor Carl Sanders, and was a homebuilder for a number of years. Ed served as Chairman of Community Mental Health. In his later years he was a Consultant for the Georgia Advocacy Office in Decatur, Georgia. In October of 1999 he began advocating for individuals with mental illness. This was Ed's passion. Ed served on the board of the Georgia Consumer Network up until his death, speaking at their annual conference several times. Ed spoke eloquently and poignantly of his own experience with mental health treatment, both the devastating effects of the disease and of the subsequent renewal of his own life that he chose to spend championing others and their right to justice and respect. Ed was preceded in death by his parents John Edward and Elizabeth Sheehan, and by his beloved dog "Sugar Bear" Sheehan. He is survived by a host of "family" across the state and he will be sorely missed. Ed will be remembered for his generous spirit, his humor, his love for his work, and his love for his friends. Pallbearers will be members of the Ancient Order of the Hibernian Society, Bill Berry, Terry Wick, Buck Tinley, Jim Regan, Brian Mulherin and Ed Holmes. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com