Dennis T. Sheehan

Dennis T. Sheehan, 58, of Bethel-New Wilmington Road, New Wilmington, Pa., passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, following a five-month battle with pancreatic cancer.Dennis was born March 20, 1951, in Sharon, Pa., the third of six children to the late John J. and Helen Hvozda Sheehan.He was a 1969 graduate of Sharon High School and a 1973 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville.Mr. Sheehan co-owned Sheehan Plumbing and Heating, Inc., for 34 years and was the secretary/treasurer of the company. He also owned Sheehan Stables in New Wilmington and most recently held part or whole ownership in seven standardbred racehorses. In 2002, he owned the Ohio Triple Crown winner, as named by the Ohio State Racing Commission, Room and Board.Mr. Sheehan was a member of the Northwest Pennsylvania Plummers and Steamfitters, Local 47; the United States Trotting Association; The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association; the Ohio State Racing Commission; the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission and the Pennsylvania Harness Horseman's Association.He was a past member of the board of directors for the Western Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association.Additionally, he was a member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club.Dennis was a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.Surviving are: his wife, the former Peggy Ann Koosh, whom he married September 13, 1980, in Church of the Sacred Heart in Sharon, and his daughter, Kelly. He is also survived by five siblings: James O. (Jim) Sheehan and his wife Barb of Hermitage; Maryellen Tobias and her husband Fritz, Bay Village, Ohio; John T. (Jack) Sheehan and his wife Christine, West Middlesex, Pa.; Thomas K. (Tom) Sheehan and his wife Nancy, Mercer, Pa.; and Edward F. (Ed) Sheehan and his wife Mary, Rocky River, Ohio; 11 nieces and nephews; two grandnieces, Kennedy and Poppy; and three grandnephews, Colin, Cameron and August.Dennis also left behind his thinking buddy, a yellow Labrador retriever named Cooper.In addition to his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by many aunts and uncles.Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at noon Monday in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage. Entombment will be in St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Buhl Park Corporation, 730 Forker Blvd., Hermitage, Pa., 16148; or to the Michael (Otto) Schmitt Endowment for the Center for Political Participation through Allegheny College, Box 44, Meadville, Pa. 16335; or to www.caringbridge.org.Most importantly, please continue to keep Dennis alive by sharing his stories.Friends may e-mail condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/ncnewsonline/Obituaries.asp.