Military Honors for William Sheehan Sr.

HOLLISTON, Oct 4 (UPI)- Veterans of both world wars paid tribute to William F Sheehan, Sr., Monday, in the largest military funeral held in this town since war time.

Mr. Sheehan, who served as a naval warrant officer in the Pacific during World War II and had been active in military and Legion circles all his life, died Thursday at his Green St. home after a long illness.

A contingent of uniformed veterans gathered at Legion headquarters and marched to Chesmore Funeral Home from which they escorted the flag-draped casket for a requiem mass. They also escorted the body on foot over the mile and a half route to St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Veterans in the unit, under the direction of Legion Post, Commander Robert Moore, were Edward Kurtzontkowski, John Moore, Charles King, Robert Sullivan, Patrick Bray, Selectman Harold Shea, Richard Shea, Tax Collector H. Gordon Weston, Sr., Lawrence Cox, Postmaster Charles Williams, Charles Kingsbury, School Supt. Fred Miller, Walter Rossini, Vincent Mullen, Police Chief Henry Holbrook, Paul Maeder, William H. Hamlet and John Johnson.

Celebrant of the requiem mass was Rev. A. Paul White, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Church. The organist was Daniel W. L. Keefe of Framingham, with Mrs. Paul Burke of Holliston as soloist.

Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery

Burial followed in St. Mary’s Cemetery where committal prayers were said by Rev. Thomas Tobin, pastor.

Color guard and color bearers were Alex Rossini, Daniel Turner, Beno Rossini, and Ernest Kampersal. The drummer was John Rossini, Wilbur Meritt and his son, John of the Holliston Boy Scouts, were buglers. The American flag was folded by Robert Moore and Ralph Chapin. Presentation of the flag was made to Mrs. Sheehan by Commander Moore.

The firing squad was comprised of a contingent from the First Naval Headquarters in Boston where Mr. Sheehan had also served during his years with the U.S. Navy.

Bearers were Henry Carey, Weldon Gwynn, Robert Mahoney, Joseph Moore, John Locke and John Mullen.

At the funeral home Sunday night, Vincent Connolly, chaplain of the Charles F. Duford Post No. 47 of Holliston and Joseph L. Stafuss, chaplain of the Charles H. Alward Post No. 133 of Cochituate, conducted the full Legion ritual. Members of the Framingham Lodge of Elks, led by Exalted Ruler Gerard English, conducted their ritual the same evening. Officers and members of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary’s Church, led by President John O’Neill, recited the rosary for their late member.

All of the above mentioned organizations were represented at the military funeral.

Retyped and submitted to Holliston Reporter by Jeannie Sheehan, 11/8/2024