'RIP Sean'- Tributes paid to Mayo doctor after his passing in the USA

Tributes have poured in following the passing of a renowned doctor born in Ballina in Mayo who passed away in Massachusetts in the USA.

Doctor Sean Sheehan died last week on February 9 in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts at the age of 91 and his story is a very interesting one to tell.

Just before he died his first great granddaughter Coco was born. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Patrick, and his own children Brian and Maeve.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Berna, his brother Raymond, his children Anne, Claire, Sean and Brendan and his grandchildren Greg, Maeve, Kevin, Kyle and Fiona.

Sean’s funeral mass will be held at St Pius X Catholic Church in South Yarmouth on February 27. 

A tribute said, "Sean was the consummate professional, always a pleasure to play golf with. That Irish brogue and a twinkle in his eye, it was my good fortune to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Berna and the family, Rest in Peace, Sean."

Another tribute said, "Dr Sean will be surely missed. Always had nice things to talk about, he gave me tennis lessons and I would help him with his golf swing. I am privileged to meet such a fine man."

Following secondary school Sean attended University College Galway where he qualified as a doctor in the mid-1950’s.

Sean helped to pay for his own medical education in Galway by catching salmon on the river Moy.

Sean met Berna Kelly, a nurse from Tullamore, County Offaly, and they married 65 years ago.

Moving to Boston in the USA he had a very successful medical career and for over 30 years worked at Cape Cod Hospital.

He was to become the first Catholic Chief of staff there.

In 1969 he set up the successful Yarmouth Internists medical practice.

He understood his life to be in service to those he encountered professionally and personally and was loved and admired by his many patients and all who met him.

Sean was a great story teller and, as his daughter Claire says he had “a way of whistling that made you happy when you saw him”.

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He loved sporting competitions and both he and Berna spent many happy years on the golf course, playing the sport in to his 80’s.

He was also an accomplished tennis player and one of his sons, Brendan, was to become a professional tennis coach in Austin, Texas.