Brian Meehan
March 28, 1976 - October 12, 2024
Brian J. Meehan, 48, of Sackets Harbor, New York, passed away peacefully at his home on October 12, 2024, under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County and surrounded by his loving family, following a year-long battle with cancer.
Brian was born on March 28, 1976, in Manhattan, New York, the son of Robert H. and Ruth Ann (Auletta) Meehan. He graduated from Paramus High School in New Jersey in 1994 and went on to earn an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Bergen Community College in 1996. While in college, he became a certified EMT and worked for Jersey City Medical Center until he entered the U.S. Coast Guard on July 10, 2001. During his service in the Coast Guard, Brian participated in several critical operations, including Desert Shield (2012–2013) and Inherent Resolve (2017–2018). He was honorably discharged on April 30, 2022, at the rank of Petty Officer First Class. Brian’s distinguished career was recognized with numerous awards and commendations, including: • Coast Guard Ribbon • Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon •Outstanding Unit Award • First Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal • National Defense Service Medal • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with a Bronze Star • Coast Guard Achievement Medal with Gold Stars • Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with Gold Stars • Navy Unit Commendation Medal • Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal • Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon • Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with a Sharpshooter Device • Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation with Gold Stars • Commandant’s Letter of Commendation with Gold Stars • Coast Guard Restricted Duty Ribbon • Coast Guard Overseas Service Ribbon • Presidential Unit Citation with a Hurricane Device • Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbon • Department of Transportation 9-11 Medal • Department of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award with a Gold Frame. Following his honorable discharge, he began working as a corrections officer at Jefferson County Corrections in 2022, a position he held until his cancer diagnosis.
Brian married Kristina Hanson on September 10, 2005, in Sackets Harbor, New York. He was a devoted husband and father, he loved watching his daughter Mackenzie play soccer and softball. He enjoyed watching football and was an avid New York Giants fan, listening to music, and spending time target shooting as a member of the Sackets Harbor Gun Club. He was also a proud member of the Sackets Harbor American Legion.
Brian is survived by his beloved wife, Kristina Eileen Mary Meehan, and their daughter, Mackenzie Rose Meehan; his parents, Robert H. and Ruth Ann Meehan of Arizona; his brother, Robert M. Meehan of New York City; his in-laws, Karen and Earl Blackwell of Sackets Harbor, NY; brother-in-law, Ron Hanson II and his fiancée, Laurie; two sisters-in-law, Laurie and Randy Swank, and Deanna Blackwell and her fiancée, James Loomis, all of Watertown, NY; and a great uncle, Neil Reardon of New Jersey. He is also survived by 41 nieces and nephews, many cousins, and his two beloved dogs, Riley and Kit Kat.
Burial with military honors at the Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Brian’s memory may be made to the Sackets Harbor American Legion.
