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Father Thomas F. Sheehan, O.F.M., who was a priest for almost 50 years and a professed Franciscan friar for 22 years, died March 3 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buffalo. He was 75.
He was received into the Franciscans’ Holy Name Province in 1986, made first vows the next year and professed final vows as a friar in 1990. He served as parochial vicar of St. Francis of Assisi parish, Manhattan, 1990-1993, and then was spiritual director of Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora, before retiring in 2006.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Buffalo in 1960. He taught high school social studies for 12 years and later was campus minister at another high school. He served as a pastor in Westfield for eight years until 1984.
Born in Lancaster, he attended St. Bonaventure University for two years before entering Christ the King Seminary. He held a bachelor’s degree in education from Canisius College in Buffalo.
He is survived by his mother, Catharine; his brother, George; and his sisters, Geraldine Grambo and Mary Sartori. A Funeral Mass was offered March 8 at St. Mary’s Church in Lancaster. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery there.
