His father's footsteps

Tuesday was Andrew Sheridan’s birthday. He would have turned 82 years old.

Instead, he made his way upstairs on December 18, 2007 after serving Fluvanna County for decades in a number of capacities, including as an undertaker, part-time doctor, head of the rescue squad, a school bus driver and, of course, as a t-ball-to-big-kid baseball coach.

Photo: Fluvanna Sports Photography

“Daddy was my little league coach, along with most of the folks around here,” said Mike Sheridan, Andrew's son, who was born-and-raised in Fluvanna County. “He served as a coach, but he also helped start the rescue squad and the fire department.”

The elder Sheridan’s “9-to-5” calling, if you may, was as an undertaker. In fact, Sheridan’s hearse moonlighted as the County’s rescue squad for almost 10 years.

“The hearse doubled as the rescue squad,” Mike chuckled. “Daddy would get a call in the middle of the night, poke my brothers and tell them to wake-on-up.”

Mike continued.

“I was too young to run, but my brothers, and any of the neighbors my dad could get along the way, jumped in the hearse and went.”

And it didn’t stop there.

“He used to drive it to all the football games,” said Mike, who is currently the head coach of a startling three baseball teams - FCHS varsity, along with an 11 and 12-year-old team and a t-ball club. “He’d show up at night, in the hearse and watch the game.”

Wait, there’s more.

“I bet he’s delivered at least 50 babies,” said Mike of his father, who people called when “they wanted something done.”

By now, you should be able to see the various degrees of Andrew Sheridan. He’s touched so many lives in and around Fluvanna County and Central Virginia. It's impressive, really.

From baseball coach, to school bus driver, to birthing babies and everything in between, Andrew Sheridan epitomized service, selflessness and sacrifice. It's an altruistic approach to model your life around.

“I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps,” Mike said.

Happy 82nd birthday, Andrew!

Downtown Athletic and CVaSports.com are proud to honor coaches at all levels. Mike Sheridan, as the "Coach of the Week" recipient, you are invited to visit Downtown Athletic Store in Seminole Square Shopping Center to pick up a Russell Athletic polo courtesy of CVaSports.com and Downtown Athletic.

Posted by Jerry Miller on April 14, 2008 10:13 PM | Permalink

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His father's footsteps

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