Robert E. Shea

Robert Edward Shea of Boston and Falmouth, MA and Stowe, VT, formerly of West Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2016, with his family at his side, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 83 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Trudy (Marshall), his daughter Kelly Lyden of Stowe, VT, and his son-in-law Barry; grandchildren Shea, Daniel and Noelle Lyden; and a son Joseph Clarence Shea, III of Falmouth; brothers, Francis X. Shea, D.M.D. of Bedford (Mary), William D. Shea, M.D. of Winchester (Laura), and James G. Shea Esq. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Janice). He was pre-deceased by his son Robert E. Shea, Jr. and a brother Father Joseph Clarence Shea, Jr. of the LaSalette Missionaries.

He was a member of The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Algonquin Club, Tryall Club, and Metropolitan Club. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Shea Financial Group, Boston, he was active in the CEO Club, New England-Canada Business Council, and SBA.  He served on the board of Highliner Foods, Joslin Clinic, MBB Helicopter, Halifax Dartmouth Industries, Solutions Inc., Tryall Club, Argentum Silver, AIM Exploration, Plaintree Systems and the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University.

Mr. Shea was born in Boston, MA, a son of Joseph Clarence and Catherine (McKinnon) Shea. He graduated from Saint Patrick High School, in Watertown, MA, and St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada where he played football. After playing professional football in the CFL, and serving in the US Army, he began his career in Boston. Throughout his long career, he was involved in many industries, including insurance, pension funding, energy, fashion, mining and many others. He continued working with many projects until his death. 

He was a long-time fitness enthusiast, avid swimmer, skier, and yachtsman, but his true passion was tennis.  He will be fondly remembered for his intelligence, contagious enthusiasm, generosity, and competitive spirit. He had a genuine interest in all people; everyone he met became a friend and a fan. He loved life and all the people that shared it with him.

Visiting hours will be at MacDonald, MacDonald & Rockwell Funeral Home, at 270 Main Street, on Rte. 20, Watertown, MA, on Wednesday from 3-7 p.m.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Saint Patrick, 212 Main Street, Watertown, MA, on Thursday at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob Shea’s memory may be made to Dana Farber Pancreatic Cancer Research, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Fl., Brookline, MA 02445, or the Shea Brothers Athletic Scholarship at St Francis Xavier University, PO Box 5000, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, B2G2W5.

For further information, please visit www.macdonaldrockwell.com

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