Michael B Meehan  January 14 1950  June 19 2019

Michael B Meehan January 14 1950 June 19 2019

January 14 1950 June 19 2019
Michael’s Obituary Michael B. Meehan Born January 14, 1950, Deceased June 19, 2019 “A good name is more desirable than great riches, and high esteem than gold and silver.” Proverbs-Chapter 22, Verse 1 Michael Brian Meehan was born in Ironton, on January 14th, 1950. He was the youngest of three children, the son of Paul, Jr. and Sally (Sarah Hatton) Meehan. He was close to his sister, Barbara “Bobbie,” and brother, James “Jim.” The Meehans were a well-known family living in Ironton during those days. The Meehans were a big Irish Catholic family. Michael’s great grandfather, Patrick Meehan, owned a boiler making business in Ireland. After the Great Irish Potato Famine, the Meehans migrated to England, and from there to Lowellville, Ohio. Later, his great grandparents, Patrick and Mary Carr Meehan, moved to Ironton, a vibrant, bustling river town. They were following their son, Paul Senior, who had previously scouted it out and found it to be the perfect spot to start a family steel fabricating business. After Paul Senior’s death, Paul Junior became president of Meehan Steel. Following Paul Junior’s death, the business was owned and operated by Michael and his brother. James was president, and Michael was vice president. They ran a profitable business together until it was sold in 2006 to J&M Steel. However, the massive fluorescent signage still remains as a reminder of the grand, old Irish name of Meehan. It can be seen across the Ohio River, from the Kentucky hillside. Today there are no longer any Meehans living in Ironton, but it holds the resting place that all the Meehans return to on their final journey home. Michael attended St. Lawrence Elementary and St. Joseph High School where he was a classmate with his future wife, Mary, for the entire 12 years. He graduated with honors and received the prestigious Bishop Mussio Award his senior year. Michael attended Wilmington College where he studied abroad his junior year in Vienna, Austria at the Institute of European Studies. During the summer of his freshman year, Michael worked as a copy boy for the New York Times under the watchful eye of Sammy Solovitz. Michael’s photo landed in the New York Times that summer in a brief article about the 5-foot-tall Mr. Solovitz and his three towering copy boys, all over 6-feet tall. After earning his BA degree from Wilmington College in English and German in 1972, Michael joined the United States Peace Corps. He taught English as a foreign language in Iran. For this he learned how to speak Farsi, the Persian language of Iran. He had many interesting and exciting stories to tell about his journey, and he brought home rich Persian rugs, tapestries and artifacts. While in Tehran, the Shah’s motorcade drove by. A short time later back in the States, he saw on the news that one of the kidnapped hostages was his former Farsi instructor. He followed the news nightly until finally his friend was released. Upon Michael’s return to Ironton, he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Mary Unger. They settled in Ironton in Michael’s grandparent’s home at 722 S. Fifth St. and Michael went to work at the family business. Before the birth of their baby daughter, Karen, Michael became ill with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Treatment in the early 70’s was relatively new and dosage was not yet perfected. The effects of radiation would haunt him on and off for the rest of his life. After the sale of Meehan Steel, Michael worked a few years for his wife’s family business, Unger’s Shoe Store. He learned the shoe business while working along side his wife, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. Michael believed in promoting education and a sense of community. This was apparent in his work in the Peace Corps, his brief time as a high school teacher, as a member of the board of directors of the United Way, and as condo board president later in life in New York City. He was a quiet leader; able to find a solution to problems and bring people together. Michael was a true gentleman and a man with a plan. He enjoyed a good laugh, caring friends, a well prepared meal, playtime with his granddaughter, and organizing memorable family vacations to the Outer Banks, the Jersey Shore and Las Vegas. He was a doting father to Karen and an attentive grandfather to Lila Rose, forming a special bond to both. He was a perfect husband and a blessing to share life with. Michael’s life leaves with us so much richness and happy memories. His love of God, family and community will remain with us always at the mention of his good name, Michael Meehan. Additional survivors: Wife Mary Unger Meehan of Brooklyn, New York Daughter Karen Paris of Brooklyn, New York Son-in-law Damien Paris of Brooklyn, New York Granddaughter Lila Rose Paris of Brooklyn, New York Sister and brother-in-law Barbara Meehan and Roger Congdon of Seattle, Washington Brother and sister-in-law James and Deborah Meehan of Leland, North Carolina Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Teresa and Robert McGinnis of Ironton, Ohio Sister-in-law Bonnie Bachtel of Russell, Kentucky Sister-in-law Frances Soule of Elon, North Carolina Brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joseph and Karen Unger II of Ironton, Ohio Nieces and nephews Hilary Meehan, Maureen Meehan and Kiley Barefoot, Dan and Jessie Meehan, Jeremy and Melanie Soule, Kathy and Brantley O’day, Patrick and Jennifer McGinnis, Joseph and Sunni Unger III, Travis Truchoweski, Michael McGinnis, Rian, Laiken, and Izsak Unger. Great nieces and nephews Titus Meehan, Noah, Hannah and Savannah Soule, Brant and Henry O’day, Brody McGinnis, and cousins Joy and Jim Heighton. Preceded in death by: Father and mother Paul and Sally Meehan, Jr. Father-in-law and mother-in-law Gene and Bonnie Unger Nieces Shannan McGinnis and April Bachtel Brothers-in-law Doug Bachtel, Guy Soule, Jim Truchoweski and Don Tobin Donations can be made in Mike Meehan’s name to the Catholic Community Center, St. Joseph/St. Lawrence Schools and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visitation will be Sunday from 3-5 p.m. and Monday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at Tracy Brammer Funeral Home, 518 S. Sixth St. Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Church Monday at 11 a.m.. Phillips Funeral Home, 1004 South Seventh Street, Ironton, Ohio is assisting the family with arrangements. Read More

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Michael B Meehan January 14 1950 June 19 2019.

Tracy Brammer Funeral Home

Death notice for the town of: Ironton, state: Ohio

death notice Michael B Meehan January 14 1950 June 19 2019

obituary notice Michael B Meehan January 14 1950 June 19 2019

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