Daniel J. Sheehan
7/28/11
The Rev. Daniel J. Sheehan, 83, senior priest in residence at St. Brigid and Gate of Heaven parishes in South Boston, died July 2.

Born on May 30, 1928, he attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. He then studied at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and graduated in 1953. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross by Cardinal Richard Cushing on Sept. 29, 1953. His first Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Parish in Danvers, where he spent his youth.

After his ordination, his assignments included St. Paul’s Parish in Hingham. Sheehan was one of the first of 14 priests who volunteered for The Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle in February of 1959 and was stationed in Huancarama and Curahuasi, Peru, for six years with the Society.

After returning from Peru, he was assigned to St. Mary Parish in Cambridge, St. Patrick Parish in Brockton and St. Stephen Parish in Framingham, and was pastor at St. Thomas Parish in Peabody. Since 1999, he had been the senior priest in residence at the parishes in South Boston, where he resided. While in South Boston, he was a very active retired priest, ministering to the parishioners as well as teaching Spanish every week to the first- and second-grade children at South Boston Catholic Academy.

He is survived by his aunt, Peg Sheehan; Elizabeth (Sheehan) Fawcett and Ron Fawcett; Jim Sheehan and Susan Sheehan; Bob Sullivan and Belle Sullivan; Jack Sullivan; Elizabeth Sullivan; Nick Debacher and Dale Debacher; Diane (Debacher) Conway and Marty Conway; Faith (Debacher) Johnson; Jack Derby; Tom Derby; Jodie (Derby) Reed and Bill Reed; Tim Sheehan and Mary Pat Sheehan; Mary Ellen (Sheehan) Wroble and Art Wroble; Maggy (Sheehan) Oftedal and Rich Oftedal; and many other cousins, former and current parishioners, and brother priests.

He was a son of the late Daniel J. Sheehan and Mary E. (Lawlor) Sheehan.

A welcoming ceremony was celebrated at St. Brigid Parish, South Boston, on July 6, followed by a concelebrated funeral Mass at the church on July 7. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Danvers.

Donations may be made to The Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, 24 Clark St., Boston, MA 02109 or South Boston Catholic Academy, 866 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127.

Arrangements were by the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home.