Wilfred J. Sheehan

Wilfred J. “Will” Sheehan, 92, of Brattleboro, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 4, 2017, at the Holton Home, where he had been a resident since 2012.

Mr. Sheehan was born Oct. 21, 1924, in Clinton, Massachusetts, the son of John J. and Leona (Lashua) Marine Sheehan. He was raised and educated in Springfield, Vermont graduating from Springfield High School. While in high school he became a journeyman machinist, which later led to a full-time position with the former Fellows Gear Shaper Co. in Springfield.

A proud veteran of World War II, he served his country in the United States Navy stationed in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operation that included the island of Saipan.

Following his honorable discharge from active service he returned home to attend the University of Vermont, graduating from UVM in 1953. After college he worked for Jones & Lamson in Springfield for two years.

In 1955 he took a position with the USDA Soil Conservation Service working ten years in St. Johnsbury, and ten years in Randolph before moving to Brattleboro in 1976, working out of the Brattleboro office. He retired in 1986 following 30 years of faithful service with the Government. He spent the summer of 1961 in Alaska, one of his more memorable assignments.

A devout Catholic, Mr. Sheehan was a communicant of Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro.

With his wife he loved square dancing and was a member of the Green Mountain Squares for 25 years holding several offices within the club. He was also active with the Windham County Chapter of AARP and the American Red Cross Blood bank in Brattleboro.

Of his other leisure time activities, he enjoyed spending time at his hunting camp in Newbury, Vermont with family and friends. He loved to hunt and was a member of the St. Johnsbury Rifle & Pistol Shooting Club.

On Dec. 27, 1969, in Randolph, Vermont, he was married to Joyce Gray Shepard, who predeceased him on March 16, 2013.

Survivors include one sister, Eileen Sandstrom of Littleton, Colorado; four stepdaughters, Judith Jacobson of West Barnstable, Massachusetts, Jane Howe of Tunbridge, Vermont, Sylvia Cooley of Leverett, Massachusetts and Sharon Sault of Randolph, Vermont.

Additionally he leaves seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by four siblings.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro, Vermont. Burial will be at Saint Michael’s Parish Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home the same morning of the Mass from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Sheehan’s name may be made to The Holton Home, 158 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Saint Michael’s School, 48 Walnut St. Brattleboro, VT 05301.

To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence, visit www. Atamaniuk.com.

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