James Sheehan
Mystic — James F. Sheehan, 89, of Mystic, passed away peacefully at his home Jan. 28, 2022. His loving wife of 68 years, Mary, was by his side. James was born Feb. 23, 1932, in Port Chester, N.Y., to the late James and Yolande Sheehan.
Growing up, James spent summers at the Maryland shore and to this day, still reminisced and raved about the shoreline, blue crabs and seafood. His family often traveled because of his father’s job and eventually moved to Manchester, where he graduated from Manchester High School. He and his wife settled in Mystic, in 1956.
James joined the Coast Guard in 1951 where he was a certified diver after attending the U.S. Navy Instructor Training School, small arms instructor, and member of the All-Service Pistol Team. This also included a tour of duty with the Coast Guard Intelligence Division. After the Coast Guard, he joined the Groton City Police Department where he spent many years until he left to become director of security at the Olde Mistick Village security, before retiring in 1999.
James was a lifelong member of the NRA and Mystic Rod and Gun club. He held over 300 pistol awards, including State, New England and National Shooting records and was a fiveyear member of the Connecticut State Pistol Team which competed every year at the U.S. Nationals in Camp Perry, Ohio.
A lifelong Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and New England Patriot’s fan, James attended countless home games with his family and friends and often traveled with his son to see Red Sox games on the road in Baltimore and Toronto.
He was always in attendance for all his children’s, grandson’s and granddaughter’s baseball, basketball, football and soccer games. He was an expert carpenter and avid animal lover.
James is survived by his wife Mary; daughter Deborah and husband Michael Schoolcraft of Ledyard; and son James and wife Michele of Stonington. He was predeceased by his daughter Donna Marie Potvin; and sister Jean Tinney. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jacki Flannery and her husband Pat of Verona,
N.J., Jeffery Schoolcraft and Jenni Germoso of Mystic, and Heather Potvin of Vernon; and great-grandchildren, Jack and Samantha Flannery of Verona, N.J., and Sean and Matthew Schoolcraft of Mystic.
There will be no calling hours. There will be a small military service for immediate family members only on a date to be determined.
A special thanks to his inhome hospice worker, Julie Balsley, who helped out enormously for the past couple of months. In lieu of flowers, please make a hospice donation in James Sheehan’s name to the Hartford HealthCare at Home at https://hartfordhealthcareathome.org/donate or 1.800.466.3227.