Active in Special Olympics swimming and at the Reading Y
MELROSE — James Francis Sheehan, age 58, died unexpectedly on August 1, 2024.
James was born and raised in Melrose and spent many years in Reading and summertimes in Gloucester. James is the loving son of Jeannette (McKinnon) Sheehan and the late James Sheehan of Malden.
He was a graduate of the Cardinal Cushing School in Hanover, MA.
James was an active member of the Arlington Boys and Girls Special Olympics swim team for 30 years, having earned lots of gold medals over the years, with his specialty being the 200 Free. James had a fondness for his longtime coaches Maureen, Linda and Jimmy and the many other wonderful coaches who volunteered their time and also had a close bond with his teammates.
James exercised regularly at the Reading YMCA with his amazingly caring personal trainer Paul for the last 7 years. And will be missed by his good friends, Chris, Wayne and Robbie and all the staff at Triangle Inc. who have supported him over the many years.
James had a love for life and was the most pleasant person to be around. He loved a party or any celebration. James loved music and spent hours listening to music every day and enjoyed going to dozens of live concerts of his favorite 70’s artists. He loved to travel with his family to Mexico, Aruba, Punta Cana, cruises, and many trips to Disney World.
Along with his loving mother Jeannette, James is survived by his siblings Joan (Sheehan) Lepore and her husband Gregory and Joseph Sheehan and his wife Christine, his nephews Brett, Kyle, Dean (wife Rachel), Matthew, Brendan and William and his niece Anna. And many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Friends and family are invited to visiting hours on Tuesday, August 6 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Wednesday, August 7 from 8 a.m. 9:15 a.m. at Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose.
The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 7, at 10 a.m. at St Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in James’s honor can be made to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club, Attn: Special Needs Members, at 60 Pond Lane, Arlington, MA 02476 or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163
