Obituary of Thomas Sheridan

Thomas F. Sheridan, a retired Electrical Engineer, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 8, 2013. Tom was born and raised in South Boston. He was a graduate of South Boston High School. He then enlisted into the Navy to serve in World War II. After the war, he was able to attend Northeastern University, where he earned his Engineering Degree. Tom and his wife of 50 years, moved to Burlington in October of 1963. He worked as an Electrical Engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base specializing in Radar and Guidance systems. Tom was a very humble man who lived his life very modestly. He enjoyed working around his home and maintaining his yard. He was an avid reader with history and politics being some of his favorite books. He was a longtime parishioner at St. Margaret’s Church. He was a BVRC volunteer, which assisted in emergency preparedness for the Town of Burlington. Tom was also a member of the Burlington American Legion and Knights of Columbus. Tom was the loving husband of Martha M. (Stanton) Sheridan. He was the loving father of Thomas J. Sheridan & his wife Amy of Birch Bay, WA, John P. Sheridan & his wife Joanne of Essex, and Mary Sheridan of Essex. He was the brother of Martin Sheridan of Somerville, the late John Sheridan and Bernard Sheridan. Tom was the proud grandfather of Shane, Jasmyne, Zachary, Eliana, Leah, Jacob, Joshua, and Johnny Sheridan. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, September 14 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Remembrances in Tom’s name may be made to the Jeanne Jugan Residence, 186 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143. Words of Remembrance by Tom My Dad, was a good man . Reflecting on his life all I can think about is how much he loved us . It was rarely expressed verbally as that was awkward for him, but his actions and the way he lead his life bears witness, to how much love he had and how that was a guiding force in his life. With that said I would like to share some quick stories and facts about him that will show you who he was: My Dad was always frugal and rarely spent money on himself and was happy with simple non frivolous things, yet we as children never lacked anything we needed and sooner or later got everything we wanted with my Mom’s loving prodding of him to spend the money . My Dad always had a cheap car that he drove to work although he could of probably driven a nicer car, he had no vanity. He was happy to save money on things that were not important ,as he had to be wise because he had a family, and we had a great life. We went sledding, ice skating, swimming, skiing, golfing, boating, camping, etc. and my dad participated in all those things even when sometimes they were not something he would of chosen to do. One year I remember we went to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in South Boston. I was about 11 years old and it was during a time of racial tension in the city. We parked the car and were walking to where the parade was. All of a sudden there was loud yelling and as we walked we saw a black man who was drunk and he was being yelled at and called names by a gang of South Boston men. My Dad assessed the situation quickly and told us to keep walking , the black man suddenly picked up a brick from the side of the road and started to stumble across the street to throw the brick at the gang. My Dad ran across the road and as the man was on the back swing of throwing the brick at the gang. My Dad grabbed the brick from his hand. The stunned man looked at my Dad and my Dad said these jerks aren’t worth it , don’t do it. My Dad helped the man who was now crying, to the other safe side of the road and the man gained composure after my Dad talked to him. He shook my Dad’s hand and thanked him. The man quickly left the area as this was during a time of racial tensions in the city with forced bussing protests were common. I will never forget that day, or my Dad, a man who avoided conflict but was not afraid to stand up for what was important. I could share many stories of all the good and hard times we had, but looking back all I can see is a servant, I pray he is with the Lord now, drinking a cup of tea and discussing quantum physics and the latest middle east developments. Love you dad, I will gladly stand on your shoulders to see if I can see more. Love, Tommy Also I need to share how strong my dad was during the last part of his life, I call frequently as I knew from my mom that he was sick, but from talking to him, he was always optimistic and didn’t have any complaints. My Dad was not depressed and was still planning ahead, one thing he said to me in one of our last conversations was he was OK and it was all going to work out in the end. And I am sure it has worked out in the end , as in his last moments he was probably concerned about missing Sunday mass as he was a faithful attender and tither of this church for 50 years. And I am sure he crossed over into a Sunday service like he never experienced before. Also I need to mention that he was still writing love letters to my mom.