James F. Sheridan

James Francis Sheridan, 86, of Brea, CA, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at home with his loving family at his side. He was the husband of the late Mary (Herlihy) Sheridan, and the late Mary (Flanagan) Sheridan. Born May 15, 1929 in Pawtucket, RI to the late Mary (Horan) and J. Frank Sheridan, he had resided in Norwood, MA for 45 years before relocating to California in 2013. He was a retired employee of the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation where he was District Chief and Operations Specialist. Prior to his federal service, he was employed by the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company. He was also an associate staff member of the Transportation Safety Institute, Oklahoma City, OK, and a past member of the Air Brake Association. A graduate of both Boston University and Suffolk University, Mr. Sheridan had lettered in football and track in his high school days at Pawtucket West (Shea) High School. Mr. Sheridan was also an Army veteran of the Korea conflict serving with the 714th Transportation Battalion Railway Operations. He leaves his daughter Patricia and her husband Hossam Kassab of Yorba Linda, CA, his daughter Wendy and her husband Tom Colleary of Glastonbury, CT and his son James Jr. and his partner Jason Austin of Fountain Valley, CA, along with grandchildren Patrick (wife Molly), Matthew, and Meredith Colleary, Sammy and Ryan Kassab, and Jared and Kate Austin. He was predeceased by siblings Claire Walsh, Barbara Haley, Delores Richard, and Lois Sheridan. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. Jim was an avid golfer and active member of Walpole Country Club for many years, and a communicant of St. Timothy’s Church in Norwood. Thanks to both Patricia and Jim for taking such extraordinary care of Dad in his final years on the West Coast. Arrangements are being handled by Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., Norwood, MA. Services have been held, and were private. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or alz.org/manh.