Celebrating the Life of Joe Sheahan
Joeseph Brendan Sheahan was born in 1940, growing up on the family farm at Wycheproof. He passed away on Sunday, June 14 and his funeral was held at Brown Chapel at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, on July 2.
The following is an edited version of the eulogy delivered by Joe and Sue Sheahan’s son-in-law, Paul Carpenter:
Joe Sheahan will be remembered as a man who truly “walked to his own beat” – independent, resilient and unwavering in his beliefs.
Paul Carpenter said Joe’s determination, curiosity and practical outlook carried him through a long and eventful life, while his meticulous nature was reflected in a password-protected folder he titled “Life After Joe”, containing detailed instructions to help Sue after his passing.
From Wycheproof
Born in Wycheproof in 1940, Joe was the second son of Dennis and Kathleen “Kit” Sheahan. He spent his childhood working on the family farm before drought forced the family from the land in the 1950s.
After attending Saint Patrick’s College in Ballarat, Joe left school to help his family run a store at Moriac, beginning a working life that would span almost six decades.
An electrical apprenticeship at Ford in Geelong was followed by a solo journey around Australia in his Volkswagen Beetle. Joe often recalled becoming bogged near Uluru and freeing his vehicle using only materials he found in the surrounding desert – a story that reflected the determination that would define much of his life.
Joe later married Sue in Darwin before the family settled in Dampier, Western Australia, where he worked for Hamersley Iron and qualified as an electrical engineer through correspondence study. The Pilbara became the family’s happiest chapter, with Joe embracing remote fishing, the outdoors and family life.
Their lives changed in 1986 when daughter Margaret was diagnosed with cancer. The family moved to Perth to support her through treatment, facing years of hardship together before her passing. Throughout it all, Joe remained devoted to Sue and his daughters.
Before retiring in 2010, Joe worked as a senior procurement convenor with BHP, with roles across Australia and China. His knowledge and experience earned him widespread respect throughout the mining industry.
Paul said that while Joe’s adventures and career were remarkable, it was the thoughtful planning contained in “Life After Joe” that best captured the man he was. By carefully preparing for Sue’s future, he demonstrated the depth of his love and his enduring sense of responsibility.
Joe is remembered as a devoted husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather whose life journey began in Wycheproof before taking him across Australia and beyond. He is now reunited with his daughter Margaret, his parents Dennis and “Kit”, siblings Connie, Mary and Terry, sisters-in-law Gaye and Jeanette, and nephew Andrew.
