March 22, 2024
Sean Ahern was much more than a guy lucky enough to have married our niece. As the priest said at his funeral, Sean was one of God’s chosen people. The Irish! And he was certainly much more to me. We were a pair of Irish dudes in a large family of Italians, Polish, and anything but Irish relatives. We shared many a pint of the black stuff. (Guinness, for you non-Irish folk.)
We were out of state when we got the news that he was in the hospital and in trouble. We canceled everything and returned home… too late. He was gone. The man was an exemplary father of four (all under 8). He loved our Lindsay more than words can describe. Calm and steady, he was also an officer in the Endicott Police Department… about to retire. He will never get to enjoy that time with his family he worked so hard for.
He was a true gentleman and never spoke of his military duty. Afghanistan. Most of us didn’t even know that he was a Bronze Star recipient. That was Sean.
I could say so much more. But, Lindsay said it best. I’m reprinting his Obituary below.
Tomorrow we leave for Endicott, NY. The men and women of his Police Department are hosting a fundraiser. If you are near there, my family would love to see you. Here is a Link to the Event:
Sean Ahern family Benefit INFO
Lindsay’s sister Jaimie set up a gofundme for the kids:
Fundraiser by Jamie Erickson : The Ahern Family
Sean Ahern Obituary
Sean D. Ahern
March 8, 2024
Sean D. Ahern, 45, was taken from us unexpectedly on Friday afternoon, March 8th, 2024 after going into respiratory arrest due to bacterial complications from the flu. Sean died a hero not because of how he died, but how he lived. A hero is defined as a person who, in the face of danger, combats adversity, shows incredible courage, has outstanding achievements, and possesses noble qualities. Sean displayed his heroism throughout his community and life, making sure he left people, and animals, better than he found them.
Sean was born in Boynton Beach, Florida on April 10, 1978, to his parents Christine and John. As a child he loved visiting the ocean and swimming with his mother, Christine, and baby sister Nikole. Sean's mother was an Olympic class swimmer and taught her children to swim well before they could crawl. Sean's father John also loved taking Sean and Nikole on Road trips that would take them wherever the road would lead.
He moved to Upstate New York in his last years of high school where he graduated from The Adirondack School with honors. There, he loved taking his baby brother and sister, Colleen and Andy, to the movies whenever he was able. He also spent many summers bailing hay on the farm with his step-father Lance whom he loved dearly.
Sean moved on to attend Syracuse University on a full scholarship, and subsequently served as an intelligence officer in the United States Army, in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan. Sean held the rank of sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star among many other military service awards and honors. Following his years of service, Sean became an Endicott Police officer, and served his community for 19 years, spending many of those years in the department as a crisis negotiator and the Vice President of his union.
Later in life, Sean and his family became residents of Skaneateles where they began developing the life of their dreams. Sean spent many days planting his roots throughout the community of Skaneateles and Auburn as members of the AOH and The American Legion. Sean often said that the people of both towns were some of the kindest he had ever met.
Sean was a devoted and loving father, who worked hard, until the day he was taken from us, to provide a wonderful life for his wife and children. Sean was not only a hero in the community, but also at home, as his children and wife adored him and the love that he surrounded them with. Sean's favorite days were those he spent with his family at the beach, rollercoaster parks, playing soccer in the yard, or watching movies and playing games. He had an incredible sense of humor and insatiable hunger for knowledge, history, and adventure. He was a proud Irishman and would often be heard throughout the house or town singing some of his favorite Celtic songs.
Sean is survived by his wife Lindsay and their four children, Molly, Madeleine, Margaret, and John Edmund; his mother and step-father Christine and Lance Seymour; his father and Step-mother John and Jane Ahern; his sisters Laurie Ahern, Nikole (Lucas) Kohn, and Colleen Spann; and his brother Andrew (Brianne) Seymour; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, March 15, at 10am at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, Skaneateles, followed by a Private burial at Lakeview Cemetery. As a military veteran, Officer Ahern will be saluted with military honors at his burial.
A celebration of Officer Ahern's life will take place from noon on Friday, March 15, at Skaneateles American Legion Post 239, where members of the public are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to his four children though GoFundMe: Sean Ahern. The Endicott Police PBA has created a memorial fund for Officer Ahern's family, and checks can be made payable to Endicott PBA with the note section indicating 'Sean Ahern Memorial,' and mailed to Endicott PBA, at 1101 Park Street, Endicott, NY 13760.
Additionally, a benefit for the Ahern family will be hosted on March 23 at 2pm, held at the American Legion Post 1700 located at 305 Maple Street, Endicott, NY.