Thomas F. Sheehan, OFM

1934 – 2010

Fr. Thomas Sheehan, OFM, was born on Oct. 13, 1934 in Lancaster, N.Y. After two years at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., he entered Christ the King Seminary there and was ordained a priest in 1960. From 1961 to 1964, he served as parochial vicar at All Saints Church in Buffalo, N.Y. From 1964 to 1976, he taught social studies at Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk, N.Y. For the next eight years, Fr. Thomas served as pastor at St. James Parish in Westfield, N.Y.

He was received into the Order at St. Francis Friary, Brookline, Mass., in 1986, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Thomas made his solemn profession in 1990. His first assignment as a friar was to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, where he served as parochial vicar from 1990 to 1993. In 1993, he served as spiritual director at Christ the King Seminary. In 2006, he retired to care for his elderly mother.

He died on March 3, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital, Buffalo, N.Y. Fr. Thomas was 75 years old, a professed friar for 22 years and a priest for 50 years.