John L. Sheehy, Jr.

John L. Sheehy, Jr., age 82, passed away in the Norwood Hospital on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 20, 1936, he was the son of the late John L. and Catherine (Donovan) Sheehy.  He was raised in Chicago, graduating from Loyola High School with the Class of 1954.  John continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, earning his bachelor’s degree with a focus on marketing in 1958.  Following his graduation, John enlisted in the Unites States Navy, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War.  He was based out of Concord, California, where he served as a navigator aboard the USS Vesuvius.

 

During his freshman year at Notre Dame, John met his wife to be, Joan Galligan, at a freshman mixer.  John and Joan were married on December 27, 1960 in the Basilica of their hometown of Chicago.  The young couple initially made their home together in Concord, California, before returning to Chicago, where, as a proud Navy man, John joined the United States Naval Reserves.  In addition to serving with the Naval Reserves, John found full time employment with the Kendall Company in their Chicago location.  In 1969, John received a promotion to sales manager, and was transferred to Kendall’s Walpole, Massachusetts location.  After moving across the country, John continued honorably serving his country in the Naval Reserves at the Weymouth Naval Air Base.  As he continued to make rank, John was tasked with coordinating the Blue Angels and the Air Shows in Massachusetts, a position he truly loved.  He took a position with the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, where he had an instrumental role in planning and coordinating the War Games.  John retired from the Navy in the mid-1980s, after earning the rank of Commander.  He remained loyal to his beloved Navy and was present at Walpole High School in his dress whites, welcoming those students appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.

 

In addition to bettering his career in the Navy, John worked hard to build his private career.  He remained with the Kendall Company through their merger with Colgate Palmolive, however after the closure of the Walpole location, he ventured out on his own.  John founded NESCO, which he owned and operated, serving as a sales broker in the textile industry.  He sold NESCO and worked in various sales positions before taking a sales position with Transworld Systems in 2000.

 

When John wasn’t hard at work, he enjoyed playing a round of golf with friends at Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis or sailing out of Newport on one of the ships owned by the Navy.  When his children were young, John loved packing up the family car for a road trip to Disney World, doing so annually for nine years.  He also enjoyed skiing, taking many winter trips to New Hampshire to hit the slopes at Loon Mountain and Bretton Woods, in addition to afternoon trips to Wachusett. 

 

Beloved husband of Joan G. (Galligan) Sheehy.

Loving father of Catherine A. Sheehy and her spouse, Katherine Roth, of New York City, M. Colleen Simonelli and her spouse, Joseph, of Holliston, John L. Sheehy, III, and his spouse, Kim Sherman, of New York City, Margaret E. Sheehy of Chicago, William A. Sheehy and his spouse, Monet, of Painted Post, New York, and Brian G. Sheehy and his spouse, Kim, of Natick.

Cherished grandfather of Dr. Elizabeth C. Vandeventer and her spouse, Tyler, Michael W. Simonelli, Matthew J. Simonelli, Connor W. Sheehy, Maeve N. Sheehy, and Laurel G. Sheehy.

Brother of the late Dr. William T. Sheehy and his surviving spouse, Mary Jo, and the late M. Marguerite Wilkie.

Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend John’s Life Celebration on Sunday, September 15, 2019 from 2 to 5 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Jude’s Church, 86 Main Street, Norfolk on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 11:30 AM.  Interment will be private at the request of John’s family.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.