Thomas J. “Tom” Sheehan, 67, husband of Karen Elaine (Symalla) Sheehan of Red Oak Drive, passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Augusta Health in Fishersville. Tom went peacefully to the Lord after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Mr. Sheehan was born July 7, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York, a son of the late Thomas James Sr. and Anna Margaret (Kupraitis) Sheehan.

Tom was a veteran of the United States Army and retired in 2012 from National Distributing Company as a sales representative. He was a loyal member of Staunton Elks Lodge 351, an avid Va. Tech and Redskins fan, never missing a chance to go to a game. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling with his wife and visiting friends.

In addition to his wife of 30 years, Mr. Sheehan is survived by a son, T. J. Sheehan of San Jose, California; a stepdaughter, Tina High of Norfolk; a sister, Diane Green of Staunton; two grandchildren, Keith and Kyle; two nieces, Anne Pond and Holly Martin; and two great-nephews, Michael and Jordan.

All services will be private.

It is suggested that those desiring make memorial contributions to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Sheehan Family. Tom and I were rivals in sports as Albemarle-Lee competed and Tom and I were Fraternity brothers at VT. We had a fraternity gathering in Reston, VA and Tom and I shared a lot of laughs and stories about the past. He tells the story about D. Massincupp not lining up correctly and after Tom's snap missed the winning kick against Lane's 53 game undefeated run in 1964. Tom has many, many friends and fraternity brothers who will miss Tom's friendship and cheer. RIP our friend, you fought Sheehan Tough. My best to Karen, T.J. and Family.” - G.A. Baker, Fall '67 2/10/2015

"Karen and Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Tom. I remember him as a gentle giant at our fraternity house at VT. It has been years since I have had the pleasure of being with him but I will always remember him as great friend and Brother. I will keep him and your family in my prayers" - Roland Hamel, Spring '67 2/10/2015

“Tom Sheehan, Spring '66, died last Friday of cancer. Not to be forgotten by any one that knew him as a brother or friend. I am writing this to remind each and all of us of the frailty of life and not to take it lightly. All of us that knew Tom, respected him and admired him. He became the poster boy of "Sheehan Tough". If you didn't know him as a brother then you missed a fine, decent and carrying individual who the founders of this fraternity would be proud to call their own. Tom, as all deceased brothers, will be remembered at the reunion this October. Let's remember these brothers as they are still in our hearts and minds. Because they are.” - Steve Brisbane, Winter '68 2/22/2015

"Sheehan Tough. That’s the term that Tom’s many friends used to describe his quiet inner strength and spirit that allowed him to take on life’s challenges and almost always prevail. Tom was sure that he would win his battle with cancer almost up to the very end. When it became inevitable in his last days that he was going to lose, he accepted his fate with courage and dignity. Sheehan Tough." - Michael Baldauf, Fall '67 3/4/2015

"Karen,
When Joan and I were visiting her parents nearby grave yesterday, we stopped by to see Tom. The "Wreaths Across America" program placed 240,000 Wreaths on all of the Graves in Arlington on Saturday. Truly a remarkable accomplishment. We picked up one and hung it on Tom's resting place, as well as straighten up the flowers that you left for him in November. They were still very perky.
Love,
Doug and Joan"