Anthony John Sheehan died peacefully at the Commonwealth Senior Living facility on September 23rd after a long illness. Born in New York City, Anthony attended St. Francis Xavier High School, a Jesuit military academy in NYC, graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and pursued doctorate studies in history at the University of Chicago. He served in the US Army, completed Airborne training at Fort Benning Infantry Training Center and worked in the aerial photo imagery analysis HQ at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He researched and edited World War II – The Western Front for the Time/Life history series. Anthony was an avid reader, an authority on European history and fluent in Russian language and history. He was a home tutor for high school students in Alexandria, VA and taught at Christendom College before retiring in Front Royal. He is survived by two brothers, Christopher and John and a sister, Monica, his niece Louise, a great niece and nephew. A requiem mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal on Monday, September 27 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cross Catholic Outreach or the Front Royal Pregnancy Center.
We met Anthony at the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry where we all volunteered. After he got sick, we lost touch until we saw him sitting in the vestibule of the Church one day and we struck up a conversation. What followed were several years of taking Anthony to the local Italian restaurant or Cracker Barrel for lunch where he always amazed us with his command of history, current events, and literature. Once the pandemic hit, we were forced to communicate for way too long by phone only. When we did finally get to see Anthony again, he was wheelchair bound but still mentally alert. His requests from then on were quite specific, “The next time you come bring me an Enteman’s cherry pie” or “Lemon ice” or “chocolate shake.” We gladly complied. As his illness progressed, we brought chocolate milk, which he often drank laboriously, but he insisted on drinking it all. And then he wanted to pray a decade of the rosary. Anthony loved God and the Church. He was most distraught when he wasn’t able to attend Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday. He spoke of indulgences and living in a state of grace. Anthony was an example that influenced us more than he ever knew and he gave us so much more than we could offer him. May he rest in peace.
All the best, buddy, from a fellow frontliner. See you on the other side. Mike
I was shocked and saddened to discover that my darling Anthony had died. I have know him since I was 17 years old and went to proms with him at Georgetown University. My parents loved him and when my mother was suffering from early onset Dementia (Alzheimer’s), Anthony would take her to church during the week and sit in the back while she prayed for hours at the altar. Patience and compassion flowed from him effortlessly. We remained close friends for 56 years, even though we did not manage to see one another regularly. He was here at my home for Thanksgiving a few years back and I had sent him an email to see if he could join in again this year. Alas, I was too late. Everyone who knew him would speak to his brilliant mind but I loved him for much more than that. He had faith that reached to the stars, the gentleness and wisdom of an old soul even when he was young, and he gave without measure of his friendship. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. I never actually met his siblings over all these years but he spoke about them often and spoke passionately about them.
At 73, I leave his family with the thoughts of Maya Angelou in her writing titled ‘When I Think of Death’.
“When I think of death, and of late the idea has come with alarming frequency, I seem at peace with the idea that a day will come when I will no longer be among those living in this valley of strange humors.
I can accept the idea of my own demise, but I am unable to accept the death of any one else.
I find it impossible to let a friend or relative go into that country of no return. Disbelief becomes my close companion, and anger follows in its wake.
I answer the heroic question ‘Death where is thy sting?’ with ‘it is here in my heart and mind and memories’.
Safe home my dearest Anthony and peace to your family.
Tony was a family friend. He met my brother at Georgetown in 61 or 62 and later came to our house in suburban New York for a visit over a school break. Subsequently if there was a wedding, christening, graduation, confirmation or any family event of consequence, Tony was likely in attendance. Over the years as my siblings and I married and started families, Tony stayed in touch and connected. He attended my daughters’ baptisms, confirmations and graduations. He was always welcome in our homes for he was a thoughtful, considerate and very entertaining guest. Tony was brilliant, kind, loquacious. He was a Patriot and a devout Catholic. He led a life of consequence and will be missed by those of us who had the good fortune to have known him. God Bless Tony and thank you.
Hello, Brian!
I’ve just discovered this message from you on the Maddox website. I tried to reach someone from your family but Anthony’s address book was out-of-date. I’d appreciate hearing from you, at your convenience.
John Sheehan (Anthony’s younger brother, “Joe”)
jjdsheehan@hotmail.com
I was one of Anthony’s students at Christendom College. Anthony was a professor of history passionately in love with his subject. He quickly became a mentor of mine. Anthony never hesitated to donate his time to any student who asked for it and enjoying a cigarette before class with him or accepting his hospitality when he opened his home to us are some of my most treasured moments of my time in college. Anthony was a one of the rare individuals who managed to be both a man who deeply understood the times he lived in but was himself grounded in the timelessness of his Faith. I will miss him dearly and will always remember him in my prayers.
We had the privilege of meeting Anthony when praying together in front of an abortuary on 16th & L streets in downtown DC. He was faithful to his pro-life witness. Thanks, Anthony. May the Lord grant you His peace.
This is a very late condolence note, but I only recently found out about the passing of Mr. Anthony Sheehan.
Anthony was one of my history teachers at Christendom College over ten years ago. Although he was eccentric and gruff, Mr Sheehan knew his history and I greatly enjoyed his class. Not only did I learn a great deal, I appreciated the kindness Mr Sheehan showed me in letting me rewrite a class paper. I am sorry I lost touch with him, and may he rest in peace with God.
I will be donating to the Front Royal Pregnancy in memory of Mr Sheehan, as well as having a mass said for his soul.
Sincerely,
Mary Harrington Norris