Alan James Sheehan

Alan James Sheehan Sr., 84, of Hyannis, MA, beloved husband of the late Lydia (Rossini) Sheehan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2015 surrounded by family. Born December 30, 1930 in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, CT, Alan was the son of the late William H. and Mary (Higgins) Sheehan and lived in West Hartford, CT for over 40 years. For the past 15 years he lived on his treasured Cape Cod. Alan is survived by his daughter, Maryann A. Schuppe, and her partner, Lisa Terlecky, of West Hartford, CT, and his son, Alan J. Sheehan, Jr., and wife, Susan, of Marshfield, MA. Alan adored his four grandchildren: Kate Schuppe, Megan Schuppe, Lauren Sheehan and Trevor Sheehan. He was predeceased by his brother, John “Buddy” Sheehan, and sisters Harriet Karcz, Mary LaMontagne, and Ursula McCormack. He also left many people who loved and will greatly miss him including Walter Schuppe of Avon, CT, and Marie Belasco of Dallas, PA; nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Al had a life-long love of music that began as a teenager when he learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. At 20, he started his own small swing orchestra in Enfield, CT. Later he joined the United States Air Force and led an orchestra that entertained troops throughout Korea and Japan.

After the war, Alan married Lydia “Lee” Rossini and they settled down in West Hartford, CT where they were to live for the next 40 years. His children, Maryann and Alan Jr. were born and he became a devoted husband, father and provider. Al and Lee were active participants at St. Mark’s Church, and they enjoyed travelling, vacationing at the Cape, and watching their children grow up. One of Al’s most favorite pastimes was entertaining friends and family at home while enjoying Lee’s fabulous cooking.

Al was a lifelong salesman. He began his sales career in 1960 with the New England Floor Covering Company in downtown Hartford. His career would take a risky but important turn in 1973 when he joined a fledgling carpet tile start-up and became its first sales representative. Handpicked by Interface Flooring System’s founder Ray Anderson, Al was tasked with introducing the UK concept of modular carpet tile to the US corporate office marketplace. Interface was on it’s way to becoming the eventual global leader in modular carpet.

Al was consistently Interface’s top salesman until he left that position in 1995. His reputation spread throughout the flooring industry as he was revered by the company and both feared and respected by the competition. He was the consummate salesman, never taking no for an answer and was deftly skilled as a relationship builder, the likes that few have seen since.

While Al’s sales success defined his career, equally important to him was his ability to mentor the next generation of Interface salespeople, as well as guide and counsel so many other nieces, nephews and other young people. His amazing ability to listen to and be interested in the lives of others will be greatly missed.

For all Al’s professional success, he was most proud of his family. His children’s needs were always his top priority and he was interested in and supported everything in their lives right up until the time of his death. Kate, Megan, Lauren and Trevor were the light of his life. He proudly shared their activities and achievements with friends and strangers, and he adored spending time with them.

For the last 15 years, Al was fortunate to live in his most favorite place, Cape Cod, a love affair that began when he and Lee were young parents and continued on through their house on Cove Rd in South Dennis where he lived until 2012. Alan loved every inch of the Cape and one of his greatest joys was simply getting in his car and driving throughout its towns and beaches. He loved to frequent its restaurants, most especially the Hyannis Yacht Club and The Marshside Restaurant, where he would enjoy the company of friends, old and new.

Alan’s most favorite pastime, however, was simply talking with people. He made friends absolutely everywhere, from the Yacht Club to doctor’s office to the line at CVS. His ability to engage friends and strangers in conversation in any situation gave him much joy and created relationships that will be forever missed.

A celebration of Alan’s life will be held on Thursday, June 18 from 12:30-2:30 at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home in South Dennis, MA with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Alan’s name may be made to Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation, P.O. Box 370, Hyannis, MA 02601.