Thomas Frazer Sheehan

MOUNT CHASE, Thomas Frazer Sheehan, 83, died May 3, 2023, in Millinocket. He was born on December 13, 1939, in Manhattan, NY, the son of William and Marion (Frazer) Sheehan.
Thomas was a graduate of Carle Place High School in New York, attended Cornell University, where he competed on the football team, and Cortland State Teachers College receiving his bachelor's degree in Education. He later successfully pursued a master's degree in botany at the University of South Dakota. Tom was an educator for more than 35 years, teaching science, biology and chemistry at schools in New York as well as in Benedicta and Dyer Brook in Aroostook County, Maine. He also worked as a Lab Technician at Milliken Medical Center in Island Falls and several years as a district correspondent reporter for the Bangor Daily News. He was the author of a number of science-related books for young children. Thomas was active in town government serving as Selectman and Sexton for the Town of Mt Chase.
Part of the "Back-to-the-Land" movement of the 1970's, Thomas was passionate about working towards a self-sufficient life on the family's farmstead on 180 acres in Mt Chase. With his "bride" Susan, Thomas kept a quarter-acre vegetable garden, raised cattle, sheep, pigs and chickens, pickled, canned and preserved what they grew. He savored working the land and woodlots with his beloved teams of work horses. Most proud of his rutabaga and cabbage crops, Tom's coleslaw and sauerkraut were highly regarded. He was a steward of the land and appreciated the natural environment of northern Maine. He greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing, and going to camp and taught his sons to be confident outdoorsmen.
Tom possessed a wicked sense of humor and a love of music and liberally shared both with his family, friends, and thousands of students. He loved to sing, play banjo, and perform for children and to tell jokes and play pranks on his friends. Laughter and song were always a part of a day with Thomas. He formed, directed and performed throughout the state with the Red Beret Drum Corps youth marching band for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years Susan (Novak) Sheehan of Mt. Chase, five sons, William (Laura) Sheehan of Woodland, Timothy (Amy) Sheehan of Pembroke, Thomas Sheehan of Trenton, Terrance (Julia) Sheehan of Mariaville, and Maurice (Anna) Sheehan of Portland, 10 grandchildren, one great grandchild, five siblings, Audrey Marra of MD, Paula (John) Gotsch of VT, Marcia (Michael) Freeman of FL, Katrina (Gene) Giard of ME, and Charles Martin of VT, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, one brother Patrick Martin and daughter-in-law Laurie (William) Sheehan.
Friends may call on Thursday, May 11, from 10 AM – 11 AM at Bowers Funeral Home, 56 Sherman Rd., Island Falls, ME., with a Celebration of Life to be held at 11:00. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made in Thomas' memory to the Friends of the Veteran's Memorial Library at 61 Shin Pond Road, Patten, ME 04765 or online at http://www.veterans-memorial.lib.me.us/the-friends-of-veterans-memorial-library/donate-to-friends-of-vml-non-profit/
To share condolences and memories online visit www.bowersfuneral.com