John B Shea Jr.

John B. Shea, Jr., 91, of Edelweiss Village, West Roxbury, MA formerly of Waterford, CT, passed away on September 12, 2021 with his children by his side.  He joins his beloved wife, Mary E. Shea of nearly 65 years in eternal life.

John was born on December 10, 1929 in Worcester, MA, to the late Dagmar (Johnson) Shea and John Benedict Shea. He is also predeceased by his siblings Irene Rego and Peter Shea.

John was the father  of John B. Shea, III (Nell) of Wakefield, NH, Cathleen M. Shea (John Connelly) of Needham, MA, Craig Shea (Carolyn) of Edgewater, NJ and Patrick Shea (Kathleen) of Trabuco, CA, and the beloved Papa of seven grandchildren: Maeve Connelly, Madeline Jessup, Alexander (Alex) Shea, John Shea, Julie Shea, Patrick Shea, and Garrett Shea. He was a dedicated and hands-on grandfather and relished camping, building sandcastles on the beach, and constructing backyard hockey rinks with and for his grandchildren. John is also survived by his brother-in-law James (Ken) Kenneth Craig and wife Bonnie of Stonington, CT and many cherished nieces and nephews.

John graduated from New Bedford High School and served in the United States Air Force from November 2, 1950 through November 11, 1954, stationed in Texas, Japan and Korea.  After the service, John attended the Stenotype Institute of Boston and worked as a Court Reporter for the State of Connecticut serving as an official in Windham and New London Counties.  John retired from the State of Connecticut in 1981 and continued to operate Shea & Sullivan, a successful court reporting business until 2001.

For decades, John cycled daily well into his eighties, long before cycling was a popular form of exercise.  Upon his retirement, he purchased an RV to travel cross-country and the East Coast and Atlantic Coast of North America.  John’s favorite past time was sailing with Mary and family to the North Fork of Long Island, Fisher’s Island, Block Island and Cuttyhunk as well as some adventures as crew for friends to Maine and Bermuda.  John was an active and honorary member of the Shennecossett Yacht Club in Groton, CT and enjoyed volunteering for the youth sailing program there.

The family is most grateful for the care and support of the Edelweiss Village staff in particular Joanie Holmes, Carmelle Wagmac of Amada Senior Care and Ashley Vaughn of Seasons Hospice.

A private service and burial is planned for October 2, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Haitian Health Foundation in John Shea’s honor: https://www.haitianhealthfoundation.org.

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