John T Shields

John was a very Special man to so many people. He was a friend, mentor, teacher, confidant, and coach to many. The roles he loved best in life were those of beloved husband, faithful, loving, and supportive Dad and he treasured his three Grandchildren. His love was returned by his family a thousand fold.

John passed away on February 12th at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. He was hospitalized at Greenwich and Calvary Hospitals since early January. John passed away with his family at his bedside.

John was born in New York, NY to Rose Claire (Dolan) and Jack Thomas Shields on May 18, 1926. He grew up in NYC and graduated from St. Ann's Academy and Cathedral College. He attended St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY graduating with degrees in Theology and Philosophy. John continued his education at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ obtaining master's degrees in History and Education. John then proceeded to obtain a Master of Education and a Doctorate of Education from Columbia University's Teachers College in New York, NY.

John was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest in May, 1953 at St. Patrick's Cathedral by his Eminence Francis Cardinal Spellman. John served as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary's of the Assumption in Katonah, NY. While at St. Mary's he taught religion and history and coached basketball and track. While based in Katonah, NY he was chaplain at Westfield NY State Prison and Reformatory for Women and the Montefiore Center, both located in Bedford Hills, NY. As his next assignment, John moved to Staten Island, NY to serve as the Chairman of the History and the Athletic Departments at Monsignor Farrell High School. He then proceeded to be Superintendent of all the Catholic Schools on Staten Island. John also served as a Chaplain in the US Air Force Reserve, honorably discharged, with the rank of Major. At his request, John was relieved of his priestly vows by his Holiness Pope Paul VI.

John proceeded to be Assistant Principal at Westfield High School in Westfield, NJ from 1974 to 1978. He then moved to the Oyster Bay - East Norwich school district in Oyster Bay, NY, serving as High School Principal from 1978-1989 and as Director of Pupil Services from 1989 to 1991, when he retired.

John always believed in serving his communities and donated his time and attention to Rotary International, Doubleday Babcock Senior Center in Oyster Bay, Food Patch of Westchester County and Greenwich Youth Soccer. He served as President of the Oyster Bay Rotary Club from 1985 - 1986 and was the recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He has been a member of Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich since 1992 and a faithful parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Church since moving to Greenwich in 1989.

John is survived by his wife, M. Lavelle (Dwyer) Shields, they were married February 15, 1975. He is also survived by their children, daughter, Dr. Roseanne Shields Rogers, her husband Dr. Ian Rogers and their daughter Katherine Rose, who reside in Palo Alto, CA, and his son, J.T. Shields, his wife, Livia Santana Shields and their sons, Max Thomas and Arthur Grant who reside in Pelham Manor, NY.

During his life, John, an only child, 'adopted' and was 'adopted' by his wife's Dwyer/Shilling family. He enjoyed and celebrated in this large family over the years sharing love and respect for each other, they began meeting in 1953.

Visitation will be at Leo Gallagher Funeral Home, 31 Arch Street Greenwich, CT on Monday February 16th from 3 to 7 pm.

A mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday February 17th at 11 am at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 469 North Street Greenwich, CT, followed by a burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in John's name to one of these charities: JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) Fairfield Chapter, 200 Connecticut Ave, Suite 4E, Norwalk, CT 06854; Call-A-Ride of Greenwich, 37 Lafayette Place, Greenwich, CT 06830; St. Michael's Church, 469 North St, Greenwich, CT 06830; or Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461