John McBride Sheridan 1936-2022

John was born April 23, 1936, in Youngstown, and remained a lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley. He was the second son of the late Robert Francis and Lucille McBride Sheridan. John attended St. Edward and St. Joseph parochial schools and was a 1955 graduate of Ursuline High School. He was an active alumnus of Ursuline, serving on the steering committees for each of his class reunions.

John worked for 41 years in the grocery retail industry, most notably with The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Golden Dawn Foods and the Peter J. Schmitt Company. After entering semi-retirement in 1992, John found his second calling at the Edward J. Fox Funeral Home, where he remained a beloved fixture for more than 30 years. He will be fondly remembered by his colleagues, as well as the families he served in their time of grief.

John was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick Church and was a practicing member of the Knights of Columbus, Division 274. He regularly volunteered on the Monday Night Crew at the Youngstown Dorothy Day House.

Immensely proud of his Irish-Catholic heritage, John was a charter member of the Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society, receiving the Gael of the Year Award in 1980. He volunteered on the planning committee of the Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day parade every year since its founding and in 2007 received the Bill Ockerman Award for Outstanding Contributions to the parade. In 2012, John was granted the honor of serving as the parade’s grand marshal, proudly walking the entire route. In 2013, he was named Irish Man of the Year by the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Mahoning County, Division 6. John was a proud sponsor of the Mahoning Valley Ulster Project, which links Northern Ireland teens with host families in the United States during times of unrest.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; his daughters, Mary Kathleen (Dennis) Abboud of Naperville, Ill. and Susan (Thomas) Eich of Boardman; his grandchildren, Thomas (Jessica) Eich Jr., John (Devon) Eich, Dennis (Jenna) Abboud Jr. and Caroline Abboud; great-grandchildren, Owen, Nora and Declan Eich; and siblings, Nora Mae Larson and Michael (Judy) Sheridan. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

John had many friends, though he especially cherished his lifelong relationship with Sue and Jerry Williams.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his siblings, Robert (Rita) Sheridan and Mary Theresa (P.E.) Burrows; as well as his brother-in-law, David Larson.

John’s family is grateful for the love and support shown to them over the past few months. Friends and family may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2022, at the Edward J. Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by his great-nephew, The Very Reverend John Sheridan, and concelebrated by the Rev. Kevin Peters, at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown. He will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any material contributions be made in John’s memory to St. Patrick Church, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown; or to the Dorothy Day House, 620 Belmont Ave., Youngstown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512. Family and friends of John may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Sheridan family.

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