John O. "Jack" McSheehy

1931-2021

A Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and a Friend to many...

Jack McSheehy, 89, a resident of Plaistow since 1957, a well known contractor and builder in Southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, passed away on February 3, 2021.

Born, raised and educated in Reading, MA, the third son of George Patrick and Isabelle Frances Morris (Buckman) McSheehy, he graduated from Reading Memorial High School, Class of 1949 and continued his education in the school of lifelong learning.  Jack proudly served in the Army as the Motor Sergeant for the 66 ^th Counterintelligence Unit in Berlin, Germany from 1951 – 1954.

After being honorably discharged from the Army Jack met his future wife, Vanda "Tammy" Tamboli.  Three years later they were married and moved into their new home that Jack and Tammy had built in Plaistow.  While living in Plaistow and raising a family he served many organizations, including the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  He was a founding member of the Plaistow Youth Hockey League and as a young man he was an active member of the then all-volunteer Plaistow Fire Department for fifteen plus years.

While serving as the President of the Plaistow Lions Club in 1976 he proposed the club build a gazebo on the town green to replace the one that was destroyed many years before.  This idea became reality and it was dedicated in 1977 and since has become the center point for many activities on the green.  While serving in the Lions Club he was honored to receive the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for humanitarian service, the highest honor for Lions International.  He was also honored with the Life Membership Award for the many community projects he oversaw during his more than 45+ year tenure as a Plaistow Lion.

Later in life he served for more than fifteen years as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Vic Geary Drop In Center, a role he truly loved.  He was a proud member of the Carl G. Davis Post #34 American Legion of Plaistow.  In 1994, the Plaistow Town Report was dedicated to Jack for his volunteerism and his love for the town of Plaistow.  He considered it a great honor.

He was predeceased in 2004 by his loving wife of 47 years, Vanda B. (Tamboli) McSheehy.  He is survived by his son, John P. and his wife Sheri McSheehy of Strafford, NH and three daughters Colleen McSheehy-Leiper of Waterbury, CT; Diane McSheehy and her husband, Michael Marchase of Lakewood, CO; and Nancy and her husband Jeff Hawkes of Plum Island, MA. Thirteen grandchildren, Michael & his wife Hillary Clark of CA; Devan and his wife Stephanie Clark of NH; Savanah Clark of NH; Christine Leiper of AR; Nancy and her husband Peter Ciarcia of CT; Meghann and her husband Tony Jhingree of FL; Elisa and her husband Cameron Langille of VA; John McSheehy-Cooper of CO; Katelyn Marchase of CO; Megan Marchase of CO; Jason and his wife Kelly Hawkes of TX; Samantha and her husband Tighe Blackadar of ME and Madison Hawkes of MA.  Six Great Grandchildren James and Logan Clark of NH; Jack McSheehy-Leiper of CT; Julia and Jessica Jhingree of FL and Menisha Ciarcia of CT.

He is survived by his sisters in law, Janet McSheehy of NC, Mary Tamboli of MO many beloved nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.  He was predeceased by brothers George M. and Robert S. McSheehy and sisters Florence Junkins, Isabelle Barnes, Carol Harris and Winifred McSheehy. He is also survived by his second love and best friend, Ms. Helena Joyce Burns of Plaistow.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Plaistow Lions Club Power Pack Program, in support of Pollard School children in need. It was a program he loved and volunteered in throughout his later years.  Donations may be sent to the Plaistow Lions Club, PO Box 504, Plaistow, NH 03865.  If circumstances preclude a donation, honor his lifetime of volunteerism by choosing to serve neighbors in your community.

Due to current health guidelines a private burial service for family will be held under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow. A celebration of his remarkable life will be held on October 9, 2021, his 90 ^th birthday. Details to follow. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com .