Thomas Shea

Thomas F . Shea , 68, of Wayne, ME formerly of Littleton and Ashburnham, MA died on Thursday, November 25th after a long and courageous battle with lung disease surrounded by his loving family.

Thomas was born in Medford, MA on March 1, 1942 and was the son of the late James and Anastasia (Connolly) Shea . He was the brother of Joan Ricca of Lowell, MA, James Shea of The Villages, FL, David Shea of Plaistow, NH and the late Paul Shea .

He was a graduate of Medford High School and proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He also studied poultry pathology at LaSalle University, PA. He was a very influential figure in the egg business for over 50 years. He started his career as a chore boy in MA and went on to hold numerous senior management positions within the agribusiness industry in MA, PA, NJ, and Canada. He returned to Massachusetts to team up with his brother in law, the late John Ricca, to build Westminster Farms, one of the largest egg farms in North America at that time. He was concurrently a Senior Vice President of Radlo Food Services, Watertown, MA and Production Manager of Mount Hollow Farms, Leeds, ME at the time of his death.

He joined the Navy to see the world, but had already found the love of his life, his wife Mary G (Connors) Shea whom he shared his life with for the past 50 years. He was the loving father of Laurie Shea of Andover MA, Marianne Dill and her husband Jeffrey of Atkinson, NH, Cheryl Chrones and husband James of Cranston, RI, Thomas Shea and wife Kathleen of Chelmsford, MA, CarolAnn Williams and husband Craig of Wakefield, MA and Shaughn Shea of Burlington, VT. He was the fun and beloved "Grandpa" to Nicholas, Jacqueline, Kevin, Jennifer, Nicole, Michael, Meghan, Jack, Madelynne, Mary Katherine and Joseph.

As the patriarch of his large family, Tom's sense of humor and caring spirit ensured many memorable adventures. He loved spending all of his free time with his family and friends, boating, water skiing, horseback riding, camping and playing with the family pets. His favorite times were spent captaining his pontoon boat filled with his laughing grandkids.

Relatives and friends may call at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m.in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.


Read Thomas Shea's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

St. Joseph Church
173 Albion Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Thursday, December 2, 2010, 10:00 AM

Cemetery

Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery
111 Glenallen St.
Winchendon , MA US 01475
Thursday, December 2, 2010, 1:00 PM