Joe grew up in Cortland, NY, at 40 Prospect Terrace. He was the son of Melvin C. Sheridan and Elizabeth "Betty" O'Shea (Sheridan) and had five siblings; Chuck, Katie, Mike, Tim & John. Joe had an unwavering love for his family, and his greatest joy was mentoring his sons, Joe Jr. and Bryan, in life, business, and family.
Joe was an outstanding athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball at St. Mary's School in Cortland and later at Homer High School. He graduated from Homer in 1965 and attended Niagara University, where he played football, basketball, and participated in the Army ROTC program. After earning a BS in Economics in 1969, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Joe went on to complete the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. Benning, GA, and Helicopter Flight School in TX and AL. He served in Vietnam in 1970 as a Cobra helicopter pilot in Quang Tri Province in support of I Corps with A Troop, 2nd of the 17th Air Cavalry Squadron, 101st Airborne Division, completing over 350 combat missions. Joe adopted the "Fly High and Fly Fast" strategy to accomplish the mission and return home safely. He earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, 20 Air Medals with Valor & the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After his tour in Vietnam, Joe was stationed at Camp Drum, NY, with the rank of Captain as the Headquarters Company Commander. Joe was inducted into the Niagara University's Military Hall of Fame in 2014.
After completing his service in the U.S. Army, Joe coached men's basketball at Elmira College before transitioning into the sporting goods industry with Converse, a move that would shape his career. He worked for several major shoe companies over the next decade, building valuable experience and connections. In the late 1980s, Joe, along with Joan and a dedicated sales team, founded Joe Sheridan & Associates in North Carolina. Joe was a natural leader and teacher, instilling his strong work ethic, communication skills, and persistence into the business. The rep agency, as it exists today, is a direct result of the foundation Joe built decades ago, empowering his sons, Joe Jr. and Bryan, to follow in his footsteps while forging their own path in the industry.
In the late 1980s, Joe launched SHER-CO, a pioneering sales rep recruiting company, bringing together top representatives and manufacturers in the sporting goods industry. Joe's natural gift for connecting people and his exceptional communication skills made SHER-CO a game-changer. He continued to inspire many through motivational speaking engagements with organizations such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and other professional hockey teams.
Joe had a passion for bonfires and built a few that even had him a little concerned. His happy place was using a chainsaw, driving a tractor, and chopping wood. Joe loved to play golf and throw the football. For the past 10 years, he found great success in throwing the javelin. He traveled the world competing in the Senior Olympic Games. He was a proud grandfather "Gramps" to his two granddaughters, Claire and Lilah. He lit up every time he was around them.
In 2023, Joe Sheridan finished a huge accomplishment in writing his book, "Angel in The Cockpit." This was his life's story leading up to Vietnam, during his time there, and how it impacted his life after the war.
Joe lived life to the fullest, making an impact on many people's lives. He was a maverick in every sense, always breaking the mold with unbridled confidence in his ability to perform and his mentorship to lead. Joe brought people and organizations together and was influential to so many. He saw ability and skills in others even when they didn't see it themselves and helped them find their way.
His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He gave us a life full of love, inspiration, and the spirit of adventure. We are thankful for the time we had with him, and he will forever remain in our hearts.
His memory and legacy will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.