John Francis Shea

Portland, Maine – John Francis Shea Jr., 89, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Barron Re-habilitation Center, Portland, surrounded by his family and devoted caregivers. Born in Boston, Massachusetts (Readville) in 1928. Son of Elizabeth Claire and John Francis Shea. He leaves his wife Janet of 63 years, his five children and their spouses: Mary Shea and Waverly Deutsch of Portland; Bill and Karen Shea of Framingham, Paul Shea and Marybeth Benson of Readville; David Shea of South Boston; and Alice Shea and Bruce Davis of Portland; John’s grandchildren, Jordan Shea and Kaitlyn and Owen Shea, brought immense joy to his life; as well as his brother Robert Shea and sister Karleen Boretti.

John served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948; he graduated from Northeastern University in 1953 and received his M.B.A. from Babson College in 1966. He worked as a Civil Engineer for the Polaroid Corporation until his retirement in 1993. Whereupon he and Janet moved to Tenants Harbor Maine.

John was an active member of that community: He worked for five years on the Jackson Memorial Library Board; was a volunteer tutor in Math at the St. George School; Past Member of the Conservation Commission; Past Member of the Budget Committee; and Past Member of the American Legion.

In his spare time, during the winter months, he worked indoors weaving Nantucket Light-Ship Baskets – a total of seventy, all of which he gave to his family and friends. In the summer, John worked in his vegetable garden and especially loved sharing its bounty with his neighbors on the St. George peninsula. In 2017 John and Janet moved to Portland, Maine, to be closer to their daughters and more accessible to their sons and grandchildren in the Boston Area.

Hours of Remembrance will take place at Park Danforth, 777 Stevens Ave. Portland, Maine on Saturday, February 10th from 1:00 to 4:00 in the Activity room, first floor of Park Danforth. Friends and family from Tenants Harbor, Boston, Portland and the Park Danforth are most welcome.

A Memorial Service celebrating John’s life will take place on his birthday weekend in Tenants Harbor Maine on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson Memorial Library in Tenants Harbor Maine, 04860.