Windham Town Supervisor T. Patrick Meehan Jr. passes
Remembered as a respected leader
The Daily Mail
Nov. 16, 2009

WINDHAM — Long-time Windham Supervisor T. Patrick Meehan Jr., who saw his town through many changes, passed away Sunday, according to friends.

He was 61. Friends did not know the cause of death.

Meehan was reelected to his 20th two-year term as Supervisor on Nov. 3.

“He was an outstanding Supervisor for the Town of Windham,” friend and Chairman of the County Legislature Wayne Speenburgh (R-Coxsackie) said of Meehan. “He was the epitome of an outstanding public servant.”

During his tenure, Meehan witnessed a $30 million initiative to improve the town’s infrastructure, including the construction of a wastewater treatment system, modernization of the town’s water supply and a revitalization effort for Main Street.

Most recently, Meehan completed a $2 million grant application to consolidate the water system in Windham’s hamlets.

Meehan, a Republican, enjoyed endorsements from both his and the Democratic Party.

“He had respect from everybody,” Speenburgh said.

County legislator James Hitchcock (R-Maplecrest), who like Speenburgh knew Meehan from childhood, said his friend, political ally and confidant could never be replaced.

“He leaves a large void in the Town of Windham,” Hitchcock said. “The town lost a true leader.”

According to Councilman Donald Murray, town officials will gather Monday to decide how to proceed without Meehan.

Murray said Meehan had at heart what was best for the town.

“He always had the community as his number one priority,” Murray said.

When asked recently what his secret of success might be, Meehan told the Daily Mail: “I don’t really know but I hope it’s that I have confidence in what I’m doing for the people of Windham.”