Joseph V. Sheehan, Jr.

Joseph Vincent Sheehan Jr., 76, of Braintree, Massachusetts, passed away on October 23, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Born in August of 1947, he grew up in Weymouth, MA attending Sacred Heart parish schools. As a child he loved radio, riding his bicycle, and playing basketball. He was president of his Catholic Youth Organization and stayed very involved and dedicated to the Catholic Church throughout his life. Upon graduation from Sacred Heart High School, he joined Local 103 IBEW as an Apprentice Electrician. He joined the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam with the SeaBee’s as an Electrician. His time in Vietnam instilled in him an appreciation for the language, food, and customs of the Vietnamese people. Upon his return, he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from Franklin Institute of Boston, graduating top of his class. Joe became a Master Electrician, and owned his own company before becoming VP of Estimating for Joy Electric. In 1993, he joined  the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as an Electrical Safety Specialist, where he authored and edited the National Electric Code (NEC) Handbook. He went on to earn his P.E.License. Work travels took him all across the country, teaching the NEC to local inspectors and other engineers, forming lifelong bonds. He even traveled to Japan, Germany, the Caribbean and Australia as part of his work. In 2010, he finished his career as Curriculum Specialist for Electrical Training Alliance, writing instructional and testing material for electrical apprentices. After retiring in 2016, he volunteered at the IBEW Local 103 union hall writing curriculum and mentoring teachers. Joe had many hobbies and interests throughout his life, including gardening, cooking, computers, Bible studies, and spending time with family. He learned to cook as a child and created  his own book of recipes over the years, inspired by his garden and his many travels. Joe loved to laugh, and was known for playing cassette tapes of his favorite comedians and repeating the many jokes and Irish limericks passed down through his family. He loved to travel, whether it was a day trip to Cape Cod, or longer trips with his family and children which took him everywhere from Nova Scotia to Alaska, Peru, St. Louis, Washington DC, Las Vegas and the Caribbean.

Joe was a ham radio enthusiast and a computer hobbyist. He was a member of the Boston Computer Society for many years. He celebrated his 57 year pin with IBEW, and was a member of IEEE, IAEI, and the American Legion of Braintree. He could be found most mornings at Ashley’s Diner in Braintree.  No matter where he went, he was known for his quick wit, big laugh, and enormous generosity of spirit.  Most of all, Joe loved his family, his country, and his church. Joe is survived by his loving wife Christine (Graham) Sheehan; his four children Joseph (Maggie), Elizabeth (Fernando) Sheehan-Castro, Mark, and Matthew (Sainan); his four grandchildren, Milena, Kayani, Jolay and Vincent; beloved brother to Maryellen (Robert) McDermott and Margaret (Bob) O’Keefe.  He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Vincent Sheehan, Sr, and Margaret (Young).

Services will be held at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, 809 Main Street, Weymouth, Sunday, November 5th, 2023 from 3 PM to 7 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Clare’s Catholic Church at 1244 Liberty Street, in Braintree, MA at 10:00 am on Monday, November 6th. Burial at Blue Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sacred Heart School in Weymouth, https://sacredheartschoolweymouth.org/general-donation-form.