John M. Sheehan

It is with great sadness in our hearts and souls that we announce the passing of John Michael Sheehan. John passed away Sunday, August 11, 2024, after a short illness, just 20 days shy of his 69th birthday. He was surrounded by his loving wife and all of his children. John was born in Lawrence on August 31, 1955 to the late James and Clara (Arsenault) Sheehan. He attended St. Ann’s Grammar School, (He always said he sat in the front of the class, and we would tease him, that it was NOT because he was vertically challenged!) Greater Lawrence Technical School, and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Fitchburg State College. He was also retired from the Army, enlisting in 1974 and upon finishing his tour, remained with the Army Reserves for 30 years during which time he was called back to active duty in Iraq in 2003. John retired in 2005 with the rank of Sergeant Major. He was always so proud of his military years. Thank you for your service, sir. After working in the auto body trade for a bit, John became an auto body teacher, cluster chair, then retired as technical director from Greater Lowell Technical School. Some of his best stories came from his time there. John was a friend to all he met. The many stories he loved to tell were only surpassed by his kindness and overwhelming quiet generosity. Words cannot express the man who John was, or the insurmountable sense of grief and loss we feel at the sudden passing of “our guy”. Linda and John lived an epic love story, and would travel around the country in his “Ford tough” truck, with Manhattan, NY and Key West, FL being absolute favorites of John’s. They also always managed to fit in a side trip to Charlotte, NC to visit Krista and Brian. He was predeceased in life by his brother, William; and first wife, Michelle. John leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda (Merrow DeCola)Sheehan; daughters and their spouses, Krista and Brian Rees and Colleen and Stephen DeCola-Arsenault; and sons and spouses, Air Force Lt Col. Patrick and Maureen Sheehan, Patrick and Rachel DeCola, and Andrew and Sophia DeCola. John also leaves 7 grandchildren who were absolutely the joy of his life, Millie, Tommy, Alice and Teddy DeCola, Elliott Rose Arsenault, and Parker and Kara Sheehan; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diane and Keith Kobrenski. In addition, he also leaves behind sister, Kathy Sheehan and husband, Kevin Weisenee; and many cousins, nieces, and wonderful new and lifelong friends. Family and friends who were touched by John in their lives are invited to his calling hours on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 12 noon until 4:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 20th at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel/St. Theresa Parish, 22 Plymouth Street in Methuen, followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen. In lieu of flowers, we are respectfully asking donations be made to one of John and Linda’s favorite charities, Seacoast Family Promise. Please make the donation in John’s memory either online at seacoastfamilypromise.org https://www.seacoastfamilypromise.org/donate-today or by mail to 27 Hampton Rd., Exeter, NH 03833. For directions or to send online condolences, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sheehan family.

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John M. Sheehan

August 31, 1955 - August 11, 2024