James "Jimmy" Meehan

Jimmy Meehan was born on June 29th, 1937 in the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains in County Donegal, Drimalost Ireland. He was raised in his father’s family home, surrounded by his grandparents, parents and his 10 siblings. The values of love and loyalty to his family were deeply ingrained at a young age - as was his love of music and the old traditions of Ireland shared through songs, storytelling and music.

At at early age, Jimmy worked on the family farm where his deeply-rooted values of hard work, dedication and loyalty to his family were established. His heart was always with his family and friends. Jimmy attended the Drimarone School, “down the lane”, developing friendships that would last a lifetime.

His gift and love of music was the legacy of his father and mother and became a bond that tied his family, neighbors and friends as one. The old homestead was filled with the sounds of traditional Irish Music - he often shared many fond memories of the times when he was young. Jimmy learned to play the fiddle, the accordion and the tin whistle, also one to share the old songs passed through the ages.

Jimmy left home at 14 years old to work in Scotland, laying the roads after WW II. His hard earned wages were sent home, a testimony to his dedication, loyalty and love of his family.

He immigrated to the US in 1957 with his brother Peter and settled in Newtown Square, PA with his sister and her husband. Shortly after, he met his betrothed, Bernadette and they married in 1961. He and his wife lived in Philadelphia, Pa. where their three daughters were born. In 1969, Jimmy and his family moved to Edgmont where he remained until his death.

His legacy lives on in all who knew him, as he was quick to offer a helping hand, share a song, fix almost anything that was broken and humbly send you on your way.

His love of hearth and home was woven through the fibers of his daily activity - his charity evident in his kindness - always helping those in need of a helping hand

Jimmy was a loyal and dedicated member of the Philadelphia Irish community and an active member of the Donegal Association of Phila. including being a President of the Donegal Association and a founding member of the Delaware Valley Hall of Fame. He was also instrumental in memorializing the Irish invoked in Duffy’s Cut Massacre in Malvern, Pa. He helped so many organizations; Jimmy was never one to take credit for his work and would only reply, “I’m just another cog in the wheel”.

Jimmy was no stranger to hard work, his love of carpentry and working with his hands - planting the garden, splitting firewood and renovating his home kept him busy.

In troubled times his encouraging words were always, “and this too shall pass”. Offering comfort and guidance in his quiet way.

He’ll be dearly missed by his family and friends. His legacy lives on with the rebuilding of his ancestral homestead - a labor of love to heal the heartache from the death of his wife and serving to strengthen the bonds of his family forever more.

Jimmy is predeceased by his beloved wife Bernadette Meehen (nee McGuinn); His parents James and Annmarie Meehen (nee Sheerin), his siblings; Mary Carlucci, Peter Meehen, John Meehen, and Susan Gallagher.

Jimmy was the loving father of Sharon Meehan Schell (Donald), Kathy Gulin (the late David), the late Jeanette Meehan; Devoted grandfather of Jimmy, Moira, Anna, and also many nieces and nephews. Jimmy is survived by his siblings Kevin Meehan, Annie Daley, Kitty Hatton, Danny Meehan, Cabrini McArdle, and Rosabel Kerrigan.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 6:00-8:00 PM Friday evening, January 12^th, 2024 and 9:30-10:30 AM Saturday morning, January 13th, 2024 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, followed by his Funeral Mass 11:00AM at SS Simon & Jude Church,  8 Cavanaugh Ct., West Chester PA 19382. Interment Private.

The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYLoPN7WuL_Bx7EgmJ7X9dA and via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/simonandjude/live