Robert James Shea Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at the age of 73. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that he had touched in some way throughout his life. He was the beloved husband of 49 years to Catherine L. Shea. Loving father of Kevin Patrick Shea and Janet Shea Totora (Steven). Son of the late Robert James Shea Sr. and Mary Esther Johnson Shea.
Robert was born in New Orleans and was a longtime resident of St. Bernard Parish, currently residing in Villa Rica, GA since hurricane Katrina. During his time in Chalmette, he enjoyed a long career with Albach Co Inc. and after moving to Villa Rica, enjoyed work as an estimator at FabArc Steel Mill in Oxford Alabama. He proudly served his country as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam. He later received an associate degree from Delgado in Drafting before continuing to Tulane for two years. Outside of work, Robert remained active with his family and friends. He was known for many years as “Coach Bob” to the students he taught at Imperial Lanes in Chalmette before hurricane Katrina. He loved collecting coins, reading books about the Civil War and World War II, watching famous war movies and even participated in several Civil War re-enactments. Most of all, Robert had a great love for New Orleans and was always proud to call himself a New Orleans son. He celebrated so much that New Orleans has to offer, from Mardi Gras to seafood to sunsets over Lake Pontchartrain, and having a cold Old Fashioned to wash down the good times with his friends and family. He was a wonderful example of what it means to care for others and will be deeply missed by us all.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Wednesday, February 13th from 12:00PM – 2:00PM, followed by a Funeral Mass in Robert’s memory beginning at 2:00PM. He will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Robert to The Wounded Warrior Project, Donor Care Center, P.O. Box 758512, Topeka, KS 66675 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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