Br. Eugene Sheehan OFM Cap.

The Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary mourn the death of their brother, Br. Eugene Sheehan, O.F.M. Cap., who passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., at eighty-one.

James Sheehan was born in Brooklyn on February 2, 1943. He attended public and parochial schools in Woodside and Maspeth, N.Y., before graduating from St. Mary’s, the Capuchin minor seminary in Garrison, N.Y., in 1961. Later that year, he was received as a lay brother candidate and began a canonical postulancy at St. Pius X Friary, Middletown, CT, on October 4, 1961. Back severe issues forced him to withdraw in August 1962. After his recovery, he was readmitted and was invested as a novice on March 18, 1965. Brother Eugene made his perpetual profession of vows on March 19, 1969.

For the rest of his life, Brother Eugene fulfilled the ministry of a traditional lay brother, serving his brothers as a tailor, cook, porter, laundry, and maintenance man. From 1966 to 1981 he performed these tasks in various fraternities around the Province, including Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, NY [1966, 1973-75, 1975-76]; St. Anthony Friary, Hudson, N.H. [1966-67, 1970-73]; St. Lawrence Friary, Milton, MA [1967-70, 1976-79]; and Sacred Heart Friary, Yonkers, NY [1975, 1979-81].

In August 1981, Brother Eugene took up residence at St. Pius X Friary, where he would remain provincial tailor and parochial assistant for the next 37 years [1981-2018]. He would endear himself to generations of Middletown parishioners and the many friars who lived with him.

Brother Eugene always carried out his duties courteously and graciously, even as he struggled with many health issues in later years. He moved to St. Clare Friary, Yonkers, N.Y., in June 2018 and resided there until shortly before his death. He was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Bartholomew. He is survived by three sisters, Alice Reynolds, Mary Scanlon, and Ann Sheehan-Richter; nine nieces and nephews; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The wake will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., at St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown, CT 06457. The funeral will be celebrated on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 11 a.m. St. Pius X Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown, CT 06457. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Province of St. Mary Cemetery, Yonkers, New York. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Province of St. Mary in memory of Br. Eugene Sheehan in support of the continued good works of the Capuchin Franciscan friars. You can send your donations to the Capuchin Mission & Development Office, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY 10703.