Lawrence Patrick Sheehan

Lawrence Patrick Sheehan (Larry) was the firstborn son of David and Roberta Sheehan, beginning life in Brooklyn in 1949. The family moved to New Jersey before he was of school age. He graduated 8th grade at St. Mary's School in Plainfield, NJ. It was during this time that he first displayed his interest in technology, building a HealthKit radio receiver and rewiring a phonograph to add a microphone so he could play DJ. He began high school at St. Peter's Preparatory High School in Jersey City, commuting everyday by train. In 1964 his father got an opportunity to work at IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY and the Sheehan family moved to Quaker Lane in Hyde Park. After graduating from Roosevelt High School Larry attended Rochester Institute of Technology but soon returned home to begin a career at IBM. Larry served in the US Army for 2 years during the Vietnam War and then resumed his career at IBM.

After meeting in the late 1970’s and carrying on a long-distance courtship through hand written letters, Larry married Eileen Stillwell when she had completed her work for the Peace Corp as a nurse in Columbia. They became parents of their two daughters, Bridget and Mary, while living in their home town of Hyde Park, NY. Larry’s career at IBM caused the young family to relocate, first to Boca Raton, FL and then to Austin, TX. In 1997, Eileen developed MS and passed away in May of 1998. During the difficult time that Eileen was ill, Larry rose to meet the challenges as a devoted husband and caregiver. Larry was raising two teenaged girls alone for a few years and then had the blessing of meeting Liz Smith, who became his second wife. Coincidentally, Larry and Liz’s oldest children knew each other in High School Marching Band and they got permission from their children to begin dating in 2002. Larry later said that on their first date, he knew that he wanted for Liz to be his wife but somehow suppressed the urge to propose for an entire month. They enjoyed a 6-month engagement and planned their beautiful wedding together. Larry even took Liz wedding dress shopping.

Larry retired from IBM after a 30 yearlong career, where he began as a Data Processing Operator and rose to the Senior Programmer Management level. After retiring from IBM, Larry took a deep dive into Recording, building a dedicated Recording Studio and control room, San Gabriel Sound, which he operated as a regional Recording Studio for a number of years before he retired from his second career.

In retirement, Larry and Liz traveled the world together and enjoyed their close relationship. They primarily travelled by cruise ship, spending more than 250 nights aboard a ship. It was very important to Larry to see the world. He was particularly proud that he had been to all seven continents, including Antarctica.

Larry was predeceased by his first wife, Eileen Stilwell Sheehan and his parents and brother Daniel Sheehan.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Liz and his two daughters, Mary and Bridget, as well as his two step-children, Travis (Davonne) and Sara Jones (Anson). Larry loved being “Pops” to his three granddaughters, Juniper, Lina and Virginia. He is also survived by his brothers Kenneth (Linda), John (Noreen), Timothy (Ellen) and Ron (Martha) as well as his sister, Carol Becker (Kevin) and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Larry had a great smile and sense of humor. He was a great man will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

Larry’s funeral will be a graveside service on Thursday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m. at IOOF Cemetery off of Smith Creek Rd in Georgetown, TX.