Brian J. Sheehy's Obituary
Brian James Sheehy, 67, of Methuen passed away Sunday, July, 23 surrounded by his loving family and friends, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Brian was born in Methuen, MA, number eight of ten children, to the late Bernard and Frances (Noone) Sheehy.
He graduated from Central Catholic High School, class of 1974. After high school, Brian enlisted in the United States Army, ultimately serving 4.5 years as a military police officer, which included time at Fort Riley in Kansas and a tour in Korea. During this time he met and married the love of his life, Karen. Upon returning home from the Army, Brian and Karen settled in the Merrimack Valley. They bought and renovated a number of homes together before settling on Forest Lake in Methuen, where he lived and raised his family for 30 years. He was a successful businessman and entrepreneur who started his first of many companies at the age of 28. He would go on to have a long and successful career in property management and real estate. He loved a good project and found great pleasure in renovating old homes and businesses, returning them to their former glory with a modern twist.
Brian also loved spending time near the ocean and at his beach houses up in Rye, NH and later down in Estero, FL. The Rye beach houses were the backdrop for many gatherings and holidays with extended family. He often referred to these times as the best decade of his life. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and kids and went on trips big or small as often as he could. One of his favorite trips was traveling to Dingle Bay, Ireland with Karen and his daughters to see where his family immigrated from. Brian waited patiently to become a grandfather and was eventually blessed with four grandkids, his greatest joy in his later years. He loved being a grandfather and couldn’t wait to teach them about everything, including his eclectic musical tastes. Brian had a strong sense of loyalty and was a great and generous friend to many, always offering a helping hand whenever possible.
Brian will be deeply missed by his loving wife of almost 47 years, Karen (Labrecque) Sheehy; his daughter, Bridget Galvin and her husband, Sean; his daughter, Erica Sheehy and her wife, Sarah; and his beloved grandchildren, Shane, Connor, Willa, and Evelyn. Brian is also survived by nine siblings, Bernard and his wife, Dianne Sheehy, Patricia and her husband, the late Paul Colella, Thomas Sheehy, Rosemary and her husband, Henry J. Lind, Elizabeth and her husband, Murdock Gillis, Stephen and his wife, Elaine Sheehy, Priscilla and her husband, the late Peter Arbuckle, Caroline and her husband, John Cote, and Joanne and her husband, Mark Carota. In addition he leaves behind many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
Family and friends will honor and celebrate Brian’s life by gathering for his calling hours from 3:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at St. Monica Parish, 212 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sheehy Family.
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