Today we present a small tribute to our late friend Tom Sheehan (1928-2025). Tom was a friend of our site since the early days and published an astonishing total of 228 stories with us, by far the highest sum in our eleven year existence. Below you will find links to five of his stories, which will shine a light on the man, who is someone who earned the right to be remembered long and well.
Honoring a writer has a built-in convenience. The writer (in this case) himself. The canon cuts down on having to produce fresh words. I never asked Tom, but considering the thousands of tales, multiple books and articles he published from the 1940’s until this past year, I doubt he suffered from block. The only difficulty that produces is selection–but then again, you really cannot go wrong with any choice.
It is not possible to tell a life story in a million words, let alone a few, so today we present five of his works that reflect his experiences in his hometown of Saugus, Massachusetts, U.S.A., a place that he most certainly loved and appeared to love him in return.
Later this year we will present a longer tribute, a week to coincide with the anniversary of his Literally Stories’ debut in 2015, at the tender age of eighty-seven, but for now we are pleased to remember him with this day.
Diane, Hugh, Leila, Eds. Literally Stories (Also Nik, Adam and Tobias, who were also Editors during Tom’s time with us)
The Story of My Home Town, Saugus, Massachusetts
literally stories 
His writing and stories will prevail.
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It’s been an absolute pleasure!!!
Hugh
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Hello Tom
Just in case it is possible for you to know such things, we are proud that you considered our site a proper home for your work. I have marked your name on 5 March of my calendar, the day you will begin your 99th year.
Leila
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A gentleman and a wonderful writer. What an honour to have known him even virtually. dd
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A fitting tribute to a master of his craft. Glad to know there’s another to come.
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Tom reminds me of Faulkner in the way he celebrates the place he’s from by telling stories about it.
In a world where too many people don’t even know (or care) where they’re from, stories like this remind us that a sense of place is required for a half-way decent life on Planet Earth. We all come from the dust and to the dust we shall all return, which is as it should be.
Thanks, Tom!
the drifter
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After I read a little about Tom my initial reaction was “Somebody several years older than I (or is it me?) is doing excellent writing and has an accomplished life?
While writing this I was listening to an Artetha Franklin song.
We live with so many talented people and yet (something about politicians, but I don’t want to leave this a total downer).
Mirthless Doug Ph.D. mathematics University Of Oregon 1969 from Sunset City, somewhere in the bowels of Lake Oswego
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Such an accomplished writer who has left a wonderful legacy. And by all accounts a fine man. A couple of my favourites were among the chosen five. I will look forward to reading more and more of his 228. mick
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Rest in peace, Tom! 🖤
I remember those old days when my hair was black and almost all we had on Literally Stories was written by Tom Sheehan.
I bet he’s now telling stories to angels keeping them amused and sometimes puzzled! 🤎
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