Joseph Lemuel Shea

Joseph L. Shea, 85, of Ft. Myers FL died peacefully in his home, January 10, 2017 under hospice care with Paula and Brian at his side. Loving husband of Paula (Melanson) Shea; loving father of the late Timothy and late Kathleen. Devoted dad to Brian (and his wife Korinna) Shea of Wethersfield CT. Grandfather of Michaela, Brielle, and Emma. Son of the late Earl and Marguerite Shea. Beloved brother of Marguerite Caprio of Wilmington NC and the late John, Francis, & Gerard Shea of Boston MA. Survived by many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Called “Lemmy” by his family, Joe served overseas in the Air Force, then graduated in 1960 from Boston College. He grew up in Dorchester MA, moved to Virginia where he served in the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. He moved with Paula and his two sons to Saudi Arabia for 2 years of government service there before returning to VA. Moved his family to Colorado Springs in the 1990’s where he was an excellent teacher before he retired in Fort Myers. He loved to ski, and it was on ski trips in New England where he met his wife Paula.He continued to enjoy skiing in Colorado well into his mid-70’s. An avid tennis player, he played into his 70’s as well. He and Paula took Joe’s mom (Rita) on the trip of a lifetime to Ireland. He sang the national anthem at swimming meets in which his two sons competed, and always sang at family weddings “When your old wedding ring was new”. He enjoyed his life and found so many ways to share fun times with all members of his far-flung extended family, which gathered with him at family reunions. Donations may be made in Joe’s (Lemmy’s) memory to: ·American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 ·St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 ·Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice 27200 Imperial Pkwy; Bonita Springs, FL 34135 The first celebration of Joe’s life will be held the week of February 15th at the Amenity Center in Paula’s neighborhood in Fort Myers FL. A second celebration of life will be scheduled in the spring near Boston. Later in the spring, a Funeral Mass will be said at the Church of the Nativity in Burke VA. Interment will be at Fairfax Memorial Park in Springfield, VA.