Bruce Sheehy

Bruce J. Sheehy of Mesa, AZ passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017 at Chandler Regional Hospital following several years of declining health. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, JANUARY 13, 2018 at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in the New Hampton City Cemetery. Friends may greet the family beginning at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, JANUARY 13, 2018 at the church Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bruce John Sheehy was born August 26, 1952 in New Hampton, IA. He was the oldest of the four sons born to Clifford “Joe” and Joanne Sheehy. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and New Hampton High School graduating in 1970. He began his sales career selling bib overalls at O’Connor’s Clothing. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1974 with a B.A. in business. Bruce proposed to his college sweetheart Paula Scholl of Michigan City, IN at a friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner. Part of the proposal was moving back to his hometown, which Paula agreed to! Bruce and Paula were married on December 28, 1974, and he brought her back to New Hampton where he became a partner in business with father Joe and brother Bradley at Sheehy Motors. In 1986, Bruce and Paula moved to Mesa, AZ with children Erin and Peter. Bruce worked in sales for a number of dealerships over the years, also earning an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2002. Paula pursued careers in insurance sales and language teaching. They traveled back to New Hampton many times with the kids to visit family, often at holidays or in the summer. They enjoyed boating, and also took a number of cruise vacations, most recently to the Mediterranean in 2014 with his brother John and wife Lori. During 2016, Bruce suffered a series of strokes, and in March of this year fell and broke a hip. After undergoing surgery, rehab, and months of physical therapy, he ultimately passed away from a heart attack. Bruce remained a small-town boy at heart. He was loyal, generous, and sentimental, and was known for flashes of dry humor. He will be very much missed by family, friends, and the caregivers who got to know him. Bruce leaves behind his wife Paula of 43 years, daughter Erin (Justin) Ison of Seattle, WA, and son Peter Sheehy, also of Seattle. He is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law: Bradley (Tess) of East Bethel, MN, Bryan (Denise) of Cresco, IA, and John (Lori) of Mosinee, WI, as well as nephews and nieces, Joe (Chrissa), Abby, Kathryn, Hannah, Meredith, and Cody Sheehy. He was preceded in death by his parents.