Thomas “Tom” William Sheehan

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Thomas “Tom” William Sheehan. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, October 26, 2023, after a long battle with lung cancer. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd. Amarillo, Texas.

Tom was born on December 23, 1946, in Concord, Massachusetts to Catherine Smith Sheehan and Thomas William Sheehan. He attended the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine and then received a Master’s degree from Catholic University. He entered the Franciscan Order as a friar before becoming a Franciscan Priest on September 14, 1974. During his tenure he served at Arch Street Catholic Church in Downtown Boston. He also taught at a seminary and spent a year doing missionary work in Brazil. He was fluent in Portuguese and even after he returned to the U.S he continued to hone his conversational skills.

In 1981 he chose a secular path to pursue a professional degree at the University of Texas School of Law. He practiced law for several years and then retired as a workmen’s compensation judge.  He also welcomed foster children and international exchange students to his home.

Throughout his life he was an avid reader and enjoyed works of fantasy and science fiction. After his retirement he took up collecting unique and rare books and began selling them as an online bookstore.

He was preceded in death by his parents and adoptive son, Jay Sheehan.

He is survived by his son, Christopher Thomas Sheehan MD, Marita Sheehan MD MPH, and special friend George Powers, and his beloved and faithful companion Boogee.

Memorial Services will be at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, November 14

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, 2023, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 1601 S. Georgia St. Amarillo, Texas 79102. Internment will be private in Maynard, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to the Franciscan Order of Friars or St Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The Franciscan Friars, 129 West 31

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Street, NY, NY 10001.