John "Jack" Shea

John "Jack" J. Shea, age 86, passed away, peacefully, in his Walpole, Massachusetts home on Saturday, June 4, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 8, 1930, he was the son of the late Ambrose Emmet and Mary Gladys (Bell) Shea. He was raised in South Boston, where he loved running with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA), of which he was a member. As a child Jack enjoyed playing football and basketball with other neighborhood children. He graduated from Gate of Heaven High School with the Class of 1947.

Jack married his wife, Mary E. Melendy, on May 21, 1955, and together they made their home in Dorchester, MA. He spent his early married years working various blue collar jobs, before taking a position with the Boston Public Schools as a custodian in 1962. Jack also maintained various jobs with the Purity Supreme Supermarket. Jack and Mary spent a short time in Westwood before settling in Walpole in 1968. He retired from Purity Supreme Supermarket in 1988 and later, in 1995, he retired from the Boston Public School Department.

In his retirement, Jack and Mary loved spending time together at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida, where Jack enjoyed spending his days on the golf course. However more than anything, Jack loved being a grandfather and truly cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.

Jack enjoyed taking his wife Mary to yard sales every weekend. Jack was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed attending pre-season games in Fort Meyers. Jack enjoyed reading, watching movies, and listening to music. A natural born runner Jack also followed the Boston Marathon, which he ran more than once.

Beloved husband of Mary E. (Melendy) Shea
Loving father of Eileen and her husband Richard Harding of Rochester, Michael Shea of Florida, Maureen and her husband Shawn Curran of Taunton and Cathleen and her husband Richard Sonnenberg of Walpole. Cherished grandfather of Kerry DeSista, Christopher Shea, Brian Curran, Daniel Curran, Jack Sonnenberg and Kasi Sonnenberg. Great grandfather of Lindsay and Matthew DeSista. Brother of Paul Shea of Weymouth, and the late Jean Smart. Also survived by many nieces and nephews

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Jack's Life Celebration on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in the Westwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.