Thomas A. Sheahan

Thomas A. (90) and Eileen M. (90) (Callahan) Sheahan of Worcester, together in marriage for 68 years, passed away in October one-week apart. 

Eileen died on October 24, with her husband and family at her side. Thomas died on October 31, surrounded by family.

Thomas was born in Worcester, son of Thomas A. and Mary H. (Tynan) Sheahan.

He had lived in Worcester all his life.

He was a graduate of St. John’s High School, which was in Worcester at the time.  He went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Worcester State University.

Tom had a long career as an educator in the Worcester Public School System.  For most of that career, he taught mathematics, science, and geography to fifth and sixth grade students at Clark St. and later St. Nicholas Ave. schools. He retired in 1996 after 40 years of teaching. 

Tom was a lover of music and an accomplished musician. He played several instruments, including piano, tenor guitar, banjo and accordion. He played primarily piano and was the lead singer for many years with the Ragtime Rowdies, a well-known and revered Worcester Dixieland band.

Eileen was born in Worcester, daughter of John C. and Mary E. (Flynn) Callahan, who also lived in Worcester all her life. She was a graduate of North High School and the Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing. Later in her career, she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Fitchburg State University.

Eileen was a registered nurse on the staff of Hahnemann Hospital and later Memorial Hospital for 40 years. She worked principally as a labor and delivery nurse in the maternity wards.

Tom and Eileen lived for many years on Prudential Road in Worcester and recently moved to Tatnuck Park. They were members of Our Lady of the Rosary Church.

Eileen and Tom leave three children, E. Susan Sheahan and her spouse Jean Ferrara of Green Cove Springs, Fla., Thomas “TJ” Sheahan of Redding, Conn., and Kristopher “KC” Sheahan of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and four grandchildren, Nathan Boyan, his wife Melissa and son Andy (Tom and Eileen's great grandson), Rory Boyan, Liam Sheahan and Aidan Sheahan. 

They were pre-deceased by their daughter Maureen B. Sheahan who passed away in 2013.

Eileen’s sister Marie J. Quist also pre-deceased her in 2000.  

They also leave numerous nieces and nephews, both by birth and adoption, who are loved and cherished all the same.

There will be combined calling hours on Thursday, November 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester.  The funeral will be Friday, November 8, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales St., Worcester.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or Our Lady of the Rosary Church.