Gary Bennett Sheehan, beloved husband, father and friend, known to friends and family as Gary, Uncle Gary and Big Guy, was born on January 16th, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gary passed away on January 23rd, 2025, at home in Alpharetta, GA.
Gary grew up in Florida, Colorado, California, and Germany as the son of a U.S. Air Force pilot. Later settling in Winter Park, Florida he attended Boone High School. He later joined the U.S. Air Force for 4 years and then went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Math and Computer Science from Florida State University and Rollins College. Gary had a distinguished career in IT and Telecommunications with AT&T and IBM both from which he retired along with several successful entrepreneurial ventures in his field.
Gary was a devoted husband and a fun-loving father. Gary is survived by his loving wife Jenay Sheehan, his 3 children, Molly Sheehan, Bradley Sheehan (wife Denise and grandsons Connor and Bryce Sheehan) and Kelly Sheehan and his sister, Bonnie Nuckolls. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Jeannean Turpin, his brother-in-law Andrew Turpin, Jr. (Andy), sister-in-law Donna DuShane, nieces Kristina Jackson and Trisha Turpin and nephews Andrew Turpin, III (Drew), Ken and Kristine Rieger, Matt and Audrey Rieger, Laura Cunningham and so many great nieces and nephews including Aubree, Ava, Rhett, Nora and Lily and many more.
Gary had a passion for sports and was even a Florida State champion diver. He had a great love for music and for animals and spent time in retirement enjoying politics and world events. Gary’s positive personality and fun-loving spirit touched everyone who knew him. His friends and family remember his loving and giving nature and willingness to help anyone who needed it. Loved ones have reflected on the positive impact Gary had on those around him as ‘the best uncle one could hope for,’ ‘truly one of the finest human beings this world has ever known,’ his kindness, wisdom and sense of humor touched our lives in ways words cannot express,’ “Gary had a way of making everyone feel special and loved,’ ‘He left an indelible mark on my heart and his legacy will live on in the love he showed to all of us.’
A memorial service will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son - Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road Ne, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328 on Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 1pm ET followed by a celebration of life at 2pm ET. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, T2T - Tunnel to Towers Foundation, or the Atlanta or local Humane Society in honor of Gary and his love of kids, vets, and animals.
