William J. Beehan, 86, of New Bedford passed away Saturday August 31, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late William J. and Alice F. (Rourke) Beehan, he lived in New Bedford all of his life and was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church.
Mr. Beehan was a graduate of New Bedford High School, Bryant Univeristy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and the University of Colorado at Denver with a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Veterans Affairs.
He served in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
He was employed for 20 years by Sunshine Biscuits, Inc. as a district sales manager in the Southeastern New England area, followed by 22 years with the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training in the Southeastern Massachusetts area as a veteran’s agent and counselor until his retirement.
Bill was a world traveler of the highest order having traveled to over 80 major countries around the world, including all seven continents, all four oceans, and most every historical and tourist attraction of any significance within the four corners of the earth.
In addition, he was a big sports fan, having traveled extensively around the United States to home and away games of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Boston Bruins, and also to NASCAR races.
He is survived by his brother, Terence F. Beehan of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Carol Ann Beehan, and his sisters, Margaret Bedell, Teresa L. Beehan, and Elizabeth Gingras.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday Sept. 5th at 9 AM at St. Lawrence Church, followed by burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Family and friends may visit at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford on Thursday morning at 8 AM prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of one's choice. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.