Martin John Sheehan, Jr.

Martin John “Marty” Sheehan Jr., age 94, passed away on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  Born in New York City on February 21, 1929, he was the son of the late Martin J. and Anna (Colleary) Sheehan.  Martin was raised in the Queens neighborhood of New York, where he attended Newtown High School in Elmhurst.  In June of 1947, Martin enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving his country.  After completing CMP School at the Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, Martin was assigned to the Military Police Detachment.  He was honorably discharged in November of 1948, having earned the rank of Private First Class.  Upon his return home to Long Island, Martin found work with the Schlitz Brewery.  Martin's service with the Military Police led him to investigate a career with the Nassau County Police Department.  Following his appointment to the department, Martin served the citizens of Nassau County with respect and dignity.

 

Martin married his beloved wife, Janet E. Johnson, on November 7, 1959, and together they made their home on Long Island where in 1969 they adopted their son Brian from the Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn.  As Martin's career with the police department continued, he saw the need to return to his education to elevate his skills.  He graduated from Nassau Community College with his associate degree in 1970 and was subsequently promoted to Detective Sergeant.  Martin became head of the Fugitive Squad and sometimes taught classes at the Police Academy before his retirement in 1976. 

 

In his retirement, Martin moved his family across the country to make a home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.  He enjoyed his retirement for a few years but later realized he preferred to keep busy and began searching for a job.  Martin found his second career in the Smoketree Elementary School in Lake Havasu City, working with special needs students as a teacher's aide and was voted Lake Havasu school district support staff of the year 1988-89.  Working with his students brought him so much joy, watching them progress from year to year, until his retirement in 1998, and then as a volunteer working with individual kindergarten students for 12 years after his retirement.  More recently, Martin returned east, making his home in Sharon, Massachusetts to be closer with his son, Brian and Brian’s family.

 

Throughout his life, Martin was an avid reader, who loved picking up the latest detective novel to keep his mind sharp.  He enjoyed regaling his family and friends with stories from his days on the police department and was always known for his great sense of humor.

 

Beloved husband of the late Janet E. (Johnson) Sheehan.

Loving father of Brian Sheehan and his wife, Minying Royston, of Sharon.

Brother of the late Alice Palmer and her late husband, Martin, and the late Nancy Sheehan.

 

At the request of Martin's family all immediate funeral services will be private with a memorial service to take place in Lake Havasu City, Arizona at a date to be determined.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Martin's name may be made to either:  Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, https://www.shrinerschildrens.org or Meals on Wheels America P.O. Box 791568, Baltimore, MD 21279-1568 https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

 

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.