Norman Peter Sheahan

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Norman Peter Sheahan passed away peacefully on August 4, 2026. Norm is survived by his beloved wife, Diane “Dee” (nee Cunningham), and four sons, John (Sandy), Tom (Wendy), Peter (Brenda), Michael (Jo’Ann), and his brother Paul Arnold; Grandpa to Danielle (Graeme), Sarah (Justin), Lisa (Kyle), Andrew (Caitlin), Peter (Megan), Scott (Carly), Nicholas, Benjamin, Matthew, Jordan. And Great Grandpa to Mason, Cori, Evyn, Darragh, Roslyn, and Jack. Norm was predeceased by his parents, Norman Thomas and Marguerite (nee Belanger), and his brother, Patrick.

Among his many accomplishments, Norm was a great athlete and played football at the University of Ottawa, where he made the Hall of Fame and earned the moniker “Stormin Norman.” He later coached football at Ottawa U, and then at the Ottawa high school level, winning three city championships and earning the title of best high school coach.

Football and coaching aside, teaching and being an educator was Norm’s greatest passion and where he touched the most lives. His education career began in 1957 at Casselman HS, progressing through Ottawa U HS, Hillcrest HS, McArthur HS, Brookfield HS, before retiring in 1989 after a stint at Parkway Adult Education HS. Since a significant part of Norm’s life was sitting with students in his guidance office and sharing his encouragement, advice and wisdom, students were not surprised to enter his office and find a huge, overstuffed, magnificent leather chair. What was surprising, however, was when Norm insisted that they take the leather chair while he then perched on a wobbly wooden stool across from them. The second surprise - his willingness to simply let the student talk while he patiently listened. Norm always defined the topic as, “Well, whatever is on your mind.” And, if the student seemed unsure of how to start, Norm always gently advised, “Well, let’s start with the truth and go from there...” These themes: always treat the other person with respect, always act with humility and lead with listening, and let the truth be your guiding light, are the cornerstones of Norm’s legacy that shine through in the hundreds of lives he has touched over the years.

Norm and Dee were married for nearly 68 years and raised four boys. Summers were spent with the six of them piling into the family car, along with their dog, Tuffy, and camping throughout Canada.

Norm’s desire to instill in his sons a love of Canada was also reflected in his 1965 personal Centennial anniversary project. Norm wrote to the Prime Minister of the day, Lester B. Pearson, and each of the Premiers (including Joey Smallwood of Newfoundland) to request that they each share why his four boys should be proud to be Canadian. Remarkably, almost all wrote back, https://tinyurl.com/bdfwmeud, and their responses (both 1965 and subsequently in 2010.1https://tinyurl.com/yc4bkmpu and 2010.2 https://tinyurl.com/mv78cfsz had a significant impact on the four boys’ understanding of, and connection to Canada.

Norm and Dee always hosted Christmas dinner at their home for their extended family - a total of five families and ten cousins! However, as the families grew and moved to different cities and countries, Norm started a new tradition: Christmas in July – a time of year that was much easier for everyone to travel to the Sheahan family home. Soon after starting this new tradition, and encouraged by grandson Scott, Norm wrote and published a book of family stories. The book, aptly titled, A Patchwork of Family Stories, ensures that Norm’s voice and his stories will live on for generations to come.

After Norm retired, he and Dee fulfilled their lifelong ambition of world travel, visiting well over a dozen countries. But their time with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always remained their top priority and greatest source of joy. Norm was a man of faith and walked out his faith by always leading with love. His family will never forget his symbolic gesture of arms raised over his head, displaying a hugging motion as he greeted us or said goodbye, meaning “I love you!”

If a case can be made that a man’s life should be measured by how many lives he has touched and how many people he has helped to be the best version of themselves, then Norm’s life was immeasurably successful, and he can rest in peace.

Norm’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff and their numerous friends at the Waterford Retirement Residence and especially Jermilyn, their caregiver extraordinaire.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: “Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation (Ottawa)”, in memory of Norman Sheahan https://www.sghottawa.com/?form=donations.

On Saturday, October 17th, 2026, the family will receive friends at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home & Chapel at 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa, from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm. A Celebration of Life will begin at 1:00 pm and will be streamed live https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/127036 . Reception to follow with food and light refreshments.