Submitted by: The Jack Sheehy Fund
Jack Sheehy passed away on August 8th, 2016. He was born in Ft. Campbell, Ky., moved to Linden as a child, and graduated from Linden High School in 1976. Jack, along with his brother and father owned Sheehy’s Reliable Tire Service on St. Georges Avenue for 40 years, Jack retired in 2014. He was a fair man – sometimes maybe too fair – often undercharging for the work he did. Jack was the beloved husband of 30 years to Linda Hesse Sheehy. They had 4 children, Jaclyn, Katelyn, Dayna and John.
On Jack’s memorial page his children shared in part “Just be yourself,” an infamous Jack Sheehy one liner that he slipped in any change he could. Three simple words filled with honesty, compassion, pride, courage and of course “Jack,” my dad, our dad – the man, the myth, the legend.”
Jack loved Linden and wanted to give back to his community, so he ran for 7th ward councilman in 2008 and won. He served the residents of that ward selflessly for two terms until 2013. Jack was also a member of the Linden Loyal Order of Moose Club and many other organizations.
Sadly, Jack had some significant setbacks in his life. His home, which he worked very hard for, incurred heavy damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and his health declined further. Besides having to endure dialysis every other day, Jack developed substantial issues with blood circulation due to kidney disease. After several operations to save his left leg the doctors amputated it below the knee. However, his problems did not end there. While recovering, he took a fall that caused the healing incision on his amputated leg to split open requiring his devoted wife to leave her job so she could be a fulltime caregiver. It took some time before his left leg began to heal properly, but then tragedy struck again. He began having the same type of issues with his right leg. Unfortunately, he lost that leg as well. Again he faced a slow, hard recovery and was in the initial stages of being measured for his prostheses when his difficult journey ended on August 8th with his passing. Jack is at peace now. His suffering has ended.
So you can easily see that his family needs your help. Jack never let the city of Linden, or his automotive repair shop customers down, and we can’t let them down. That is why we are asking for your help.
Please donate to the Jack Sheehy Fund at 617 Princton Rd, Linden, NJ 07036, or on line at go fund me www.gofundme.com “JACK SHEEHY FUND”. Also attend the fundraising pasta dinner to be held on September 30th at the JTG Center located at 330 Helen Street, Linden. There are two seatings: first 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM; or second 6:30PM to 8:00 PM. There will be a 5050 Raffle and Tricky Tray auction. Note there will be additional parking on the 3rd floor of the City Hall Parking Garage.
If you have any questions please call Rich 908-486-78554 or email Rich617LNJ@gmail.com.
Photos from May 2015 when Jack Sheehy received Linden’s Paul Werkmeister Outstanding Citizen Award.
(above, back, l-r) Katelyn Sheehy (daughter), Dayna Sheehy (daughter), Linda Sheehy (wife), Jack Sheehy, Jaclyn Sheehy (daughter), John Sheehy III (son), Michael Wille (son-in-law).
(front, l-r) Milani Wille and Alyssa Wille (granddaughters).
(above, l-r) Former Mayor Richard Gerbounka presented Jack Sheehy with Outstanding Citizen Award.
(above, l-r) Jack Sheehy and his siblings: Joe Sheehy, Jack Sheehy, Steve Sheehy , Lorraine Telesco.
