Thomas W. Sheehan was born in Waukegan, Illinois on August 17, 1936. Tom has lived a full life as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Tom met his forever-true love Betty J. Wunderlich at high school. They were married in December 1957. Tom and Betty were married for 63 years. Tom and Betty went on to have four children: Robert John, Michael James (who preceded him in death), Susan Lynn, and William (Bill) Charles Sheehan and many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Tom and Betty loved being involved in the lives on his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.
Straight out of high school, Tom enlisted in the Navy to honor his country. Tom served on board the heavy cruiser USS Helena and then on a destroyer USS Mackenzie. He went on to civil service working for RCA building giant satellites around the world. From there he went to work for NASA, which he loved. He worked on the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and the shuttle in NASA Control Center. Tom then closed out his career at Rockwell.
He was an Irish man to the end! Tom passed at the age of 84 on St. Patrick’s Day. Just like Tom to pass on his favorite holiday! His true love Betty passed away one year and one day before him.
Viewing will be held Sunday, March 21 from 9:30AM-10:30AM at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Graveside service will begin at 10:30AM.
