Obituary for James Edward Shea
James Edward Shea died at his apartment in Storrs on January 19, 2019. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Evelyn Pucino Shea and their daughter Marguerite Alice (Margie) Shea.
Jim was born in Rockville, CT on May 25, 1925, the son of Daniel Shea and Alice Scully Shea. He grew up in Vernon, graduating from Rockville High School. Jim exemplified a member of what has been called the greatest generation. When called, he served in the Army at the end of World War II and in post-war Japan, returning home to marry and raise a family. After their marriage in 1949, Evelyn and Jim moved to Coventry. In 1953 he built their family home where he lived until last year.
He was employed as a machinist at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft where he worked for 37 years, earning awards for manufacturing innovations. In addition, for many years he worked a second job as a school bus mechanic.
Jim was an active member of St Mary Church in Coventry, always available to volunteer his time and skills for everything from making the fried dough at the church fair, installing the roof, to repairing anything that needed fixing. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Evelyn and Jim were avid travelers, visiting friends and family on their journeys throughout the country. In retirement they visited all fifty states. In addition to major sites such as national parks, they loved spending time in small town museums and historical societies.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Jim was predeceased by his brothers Daniel, John, Thomas, William and Joseph Shea and his sisters Margaret Boldt and Katherine Rauschenbach. Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews including his caretakers Daniel Coughlin and Kathleen Hutson. He was steadfast, loving and generous, always there for family members, neighbors and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry at 10:00 o'clock on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Coventry. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to St. Francis Foundation 95 Woodland St., Hartford CT 06105, or online www.saintfrancisdonor.com. Please specify the Pulmonary Department. For online condolences, visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
Jim was born in Rockville, CT on May 25, 1925, the son of Daniel Shea and Alice Scully Shea. He grew up in Vernon, graduating from Rockville High School. Jim exemplified a member of what has been called the greatest generation. When called, he served in the Army at the end of World War II and in post-war Japan, returning home to marry and raise a family. After their marriage in 1949, Evelyn and Jim moved to Coventry. In 1953 he built their family home where he lived until last year.
He was employed as a machinist at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft where he worked for 37 years, earning awards for manufacturing innovations. In addition, for many years he worked a second job as a school bus mechanic.
Jim was an active member of St Mary Church in Coventry, always available to volunteer his time and skills for everything from making the fried dough at the church fair, installing the roof, to repairing anything that needed fixing. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Evelyn and Jim were avid travelers, visiting friends and family on their journeys throughout the country. In retirement they visited all fifty states. In addition to major sites such as national parks, they loved spending time in small town museums and historical societies.
In addition to his wife and daughter, Jim was predeceased by his brothers Daniel, John, Thomas, William and Joseph Shea and his sisters Margaret Boldt and Katherine Rauschenbach. Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews including his caretakers Daniel Coughlin and Kathleen Hutson. He was steadfast, loving and generous, always there for family members, neighbors and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry at 10:00 o'clock on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Coventry. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to St. Francis Foundation 95 Woodland St., Hartford CT 06105, or online www.saintfrancisdonor.com. Please specify the Pulmonary Department. For online condolences, visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com