Joseph G. Shea formerly of JP Dies at Age 72

Joseph G. Shea passed away suddenly on January 31. Mr. Shea leaves his three children and four grandchildren. Mr. Shea was the husband of the late Jacqueline (Kress) Shea. He was 72.

Growing up in Jamaica Plain, Mr. Shea was an active and curious boy. He spent many hours at the Arnold Arboretum and he was granted access to the Adult section of Boston Public Library Branch in Jamaica Plain after he read every single book in the children’s section.

As a pilot in the US Navy, Mr. Shea achieved the rank of Commander. He flew the A-1 Skyraider on numerous missions over Vietnam at the beginning of the war. He served on the aircraft carriers the U.S.S Essex and U.S.S. Coral Sea. Mr. Shea was also a flight instructor. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for Delta Airlines as Captain, flying Boeing 727s, 757s, and 767s.

Mr. Shea’s family remembers his life-long love of reading, especially history. He was a self-taught historian who loved to share his knowledge of history and devoured research materials for the pleasure of knowing and sharing.

Mr. Shea was very active in Duxbury. One of his proudest moments was researching and enabling the reconstruction of the WWI War Memorial in Duxbury. Mr. Shea was an active member of First Parish Church in Duxbury. He served on many committees and thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and lifelong friendships that he formed there.

Mr. Shea was very active on town committees throughout the years. While serving as Sealer of Weights and Measures, he authored a manual for the job. The manual was reproduced and distributed by the Commonwealth to all cities and towns. He was also a long serving member of the Highway Safety Committee and the Municipal Commission on Disabilities.

Although his community connections were important, Mr. Shea’s most important work was always family.  He family remembers how he stood firmly and anchored those around him through the strongest storms with his wisdom, wit, and willpower. They remember that there never was a happier man than Joe Shea, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and loving wife.      

Mr. Shea was the loving husband of the late Jacqueline (Kress) Shea. He is survived by his children – David Shea, and his wife Kathleen, of Pembroke; Susan Shea, and her partner Nicci Meadow, of Norwell; and Andrew Shea of Duxbury. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ryan and Christopher Shea of Pembroke; Hayden Shea-Meadow of Norwell; and sister Gerry Townsend of Florida. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, February 9 at First Parish Church, 842 Tremont St., Duxbury, MA.  Burial will be private.

En lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Joseph G. Shea Memorial Fund c/o Rockland Trust Company, P.O. Box 1627, Duxbury, MA, 02331. Funds will be used to support local scouts in need.

Funereal services are being provided by Shepherd Funeral Home, Kingston.

Online guest books can be signed here and here.