Ed Sheehan, a quiet and talented distance runner and coach, passed away on Friday, May 6. (The May 11, 2005 online Boston Globe reported that Sheehan died of a heart attack while running with Naoko Ishibe.) On the local trails, he has been known as Naoko Ishibe's husband and coach. The couple moved here from New England; Ed Sheehan's credentials with the B.A.A. were impressive but he rarely mentioned his personal history as a runner.

Photo below by George Banker: Ed Sheehan placed 7th in the 1999 Saint Patricks Day 10K with a time of 32:46 at age 42.

Silver Spring, MD Resident and Husband of Naoko Ishibe, a Top Local Female Long Distance Athlete
Excerpt from the Boston Athletic Association press release: Edward F. Sheehan, Jr., head coach at the B.A.A. from December 1994 through September 1997, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 6, 2005. He was 47-years old and living in Silver Spring, Maryland with his wife Naoko Ishibe-Sheehan.

When he was appointed to the position of head coach, Sheehan aimed at returning the B.A.A. to a top, regional grassroots running club. "It's an honor to coach a club with the tradition and support that the Boston Athletic Association enjoys," said Sheehan when he was hired. Sheehan, who twice finished in the top 15 of the Boston Marathon as a member of the B.A.A. (14th place, 1980 Boston Marathon, 2:19:41; and 11th place, 1982 Boston Marathon, 2:17:43), said on more than one occasion that arriving at the B.A.A. and following in the footsteps of legendary manager John "Jock" Semple was his "dream job."

He was as outstanding an athlete as he was a coach. He twice qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials (1980 and 1984). Besides his two Top 15 performances at the 1980 and 1982 Boston Marathons, Sheehan had a personal best of 2:13:46 (1982 Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama), and he had 10 sub- 2:20:00 marathons to his credit. He was a two-time runner-up in the USA Track & Field - New England Road Race Grand Prix Series (1992 and 1993), and his personal best times on the roads and on the track were: - 5,000 meters track - 14:00.02 (1983 and 1986); - 10K roads - 29:06 (1982); - 10,000 meters track - 28:59.7 (1983); - 15-kilometers - 44:52 (1983); - 20-kilometers - 61:01 (1981); - 25-kilometers - 1:18:41 (1994); - 30-kilometers - 1:32:56 (1981); - Marathon - 2:13:46 (1982).

He attended Boston College High School, and received his B.A. in philosophy from Harvard University in 1979. He stayed at Harvard, earning an M.S. in Psychology in 1981, before beginning work towards his Ph.D. in psychology (also at Harvard).

While at Harvard University, Sheehan was a two-time All-Ivy League Selection in cross-country; a four-time All-Ivy League Selection in track; the former Harvard University record holder at 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. He also earned three All- IC4A distinctions. He was a four-time NCAA Division I Qualifier (twice in track and twice in cross country).

Sheehan began competing for the Boston Athletic Association in 1979, and he continued his affiliation with the club in the 1980s and 1990s. He left the club for a few years but continued with other start-up teams, including the rival Boston Running Club for whom he also worked. He re-joined the B.A.A. in 1994.

After nearly three years as Head Coach of the B.A.A., during which time he was responsible for rebuilding the club and strengthening its core membership, he and his wife, Naoko, a club member, relocated to Washington, D.C. As much as Sheehan was committed to his work and his mission at the B.A.A., he was even more devoted to his wife. When she received an opportunity to employ her years of study in Washington, D.C., as much as he loved his work in the Boston running community, his decision to move was without regret.

Nevertheless, it would be difficult to believe - knowing that Sheehan was a born and bred New Englander who lived in East Weymouth, Mass. for most of his life - that his decision to move was easy. Many believed that one day both Ed and Naoko would return to Boston and New England racing. Every year since their departure, the two of them would make their way up I-95 several times to compete in indoor and outdoor track meets and the occasional road race.