In some clearly obvious – and other subtle ways – a look around Mansfield is to see the fingerprint of Ed Meehan. A man remembered as much for his civil service as his love for his family, Ed never knew a stranger.
Former Mansfield Mayor Edward T. Meehan passed away early Friday morning in the emergency room of OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. He was 78.
Born in Bellerose, New York on Nov. 19, 1937, he graduated from Sewanhaka High School and earned his BS in Urban Planning from Michigan State University.
In the late ’60s and early ’70s Ed was director of Richland County Regional Planning Commission, and left that position in 1979 after he was elected mayor of the city of Mansfield. He would go on to serve three terms as mayor from 1980 to 1992.
During his tenure as mayor, Ed spearheaded a revitalization of Mansfield’s downtown. The city’s showpiece: the Historic Renaissance Theater and attached Holiday Inn complex. The renovation of blighted and abandoned buildings into The Carrousel District are attributed to Ed’s visionary leadership.
Following his mayoral service, he put his skills as a city planner to excellent use at Edward T. Meehan and Associates Planners. He designed and provided zoning and subdivision regulations for numerous municipalities in the area including Ontario, Bellville and Madison Township.
He formerly served as interim dean of The Ohio State University Mansfield (1992).
Ed was a member of numerous Mansfield service, civic and community clubs and organizations – too many to mention – always active in promoting the good of this community and its residents.
Ed was Precinct Committee man in the Richland County Republican Party, and just last month was elected to Mansfield City Charter Commission.
He served on many executive boards, but two were very close to his heart: the Harmony House (though a former president of the board, Ed personally designed the playground), and The Ohio State Reformatory Preservation Society, of which he was serving as treasurer.
His imprint is clearly left on a family who will miss his frequent and genuine laugh; they include his wife Darlene (Burton) Meehan, whom he married March 4, 1983; son Kevin (Andrea) Meehan, of Mansfield; daughters Dawn Meehan, of Naples, Florida, and Catherine (Kenneth) Lohr, of Cape Coral, Florida; a stepson Frank (Susan) Basting, of Columbus; grandchildren Tyler Terrell, Tayler Terrell, Kenny Lohr, Carly Lohr, Hayley Meehan and Judith Basting; a great granddaughter Tallyn; sister-in-law Donna Bosko, of Mansfield; and nieces and nephews including Eric Bosko and Kimberley Allgood.
He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Mildred (Burnett) Meehan; and a brother Jack Meehan.
The Meehan family will receive friends Monday, Dec. 21, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home, where his funeral service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. Celebrant Jerry Wilson will lead a service celebrating Ed’s life work and his contribution to the community and his family. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.
Contributions in Ed’s memory to two of his favorite projects: Harmony House or The Ohio State Reformatory Preservation Society may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Meehan family, send them a message of support – or see Ed’s tribute video – at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
