George B. "Pete" Sheehan

George B. 'Pete' Sheehan
of Dracut, decorated basketball official,
active with Lowell Elks Lodge, Navy vet; 83

DRACUT -- George B. "Pete" Sheehan, a resident of Dracut and former longtime Lowell resident, died on Sunday, April 11th. He was the beloved husband of Jacqueline J. (Pedneault) Sheehan, to whom he was married for 54 years.

He was born in Lowell on January 28, 1927, and he was the son of the late Henry F., and Blanche (Gosselin) Sheehan. He graduated from Keith Academy and attended Northeastern University and the University of Indiana.

He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II.

A registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, Pete was a retired engineer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and at the time of his retirement, he was the Supervisor of Recreational Facilities Construction Program. He also served as Engineer for the Town of Dracut for over 30 years.

He was a well known and recognized basketball official, joining the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) in 1952. He was a charter member of the Greater Lowell Board No. 95, and served as the board president. He later became Secretary-Treasurer for over 30 years.

He was very active in IAABO nationally, and in 1990 he was elected the international president. He was also a longtime member of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association, and was an Honorary Life member in both IAABO and CBOA. In recognition for his years of dedicated service, IAABO created the "George B. "Pete" Sheehan Sportsmanship Award" given to deserving high school students.

Active in fraternal organizations, he was a past Exalted Ruler of Lowell Elks Lodge No. 87 and served as chairman of the building committee for the construction of the new Elks Lodge on Old Ferry Road. He was honored for his efforts by having the members lounge designated as the "George B. "Pete" Sheehan Members Lounge."
He was an avid golfer and was a member of Longmeadow Golf Club for almost 40 years.

Pete was also given the privilege of touring Air Force One, the President's plane.

Surviving him, besides his wife, is his daughter, Linda D. of Tewksbury, MA; and son, John P. of Clinton, MA; sisters-in-law, Gloria Sheehan of Dracut, MA, and Grace Pedneault of Everett, MA and brother-in-law, Paul J. Pedneault of Dracut, MA; several nieces and nephew and many, many good friends.

He was also the brother of the late attorney, Paul E. Sheehan of Lowell, MA, and Alban G. Sheehan of Reading, MA.

SHEEHAN -- Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Tuesday from 3 until 8 PM. His funeral will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday at 9 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 AM at Ste. Marguerite D'Youville Parish in Dracut. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the George "Pete" Sheehan Scholarship Fund, c/o Enterprise Bank, 1168 Lakeview Avenue, Dracut MA 01826. For online condolences and directions visit dracutfuneralhome.com.