Hal was married to his beloved wife Clare Fitzgerald on January 6th, 1968, they were married for 52 years. A loving and devoted husband and father, Hal is survived by his wife Clare, daughter Kate and grandson Jack of Rye, New York.
His sister Marylou Sheils of Washington, D.C., his brother Peter Sheils of Annapolis, M.D., wife Katherine, niece Megan,nephews Ted and Will and extended family. Hal is preceded in death by his father Harold I. Sheils, Sr. and his mother Rita B. Sheils. Hal was born in New Rochelle, New York on March 14th, 1936 and was a New Rochelle resident most of his life until moving to the Town of Eastchester in 1971 with his wife Clare.
A graduate of New Rochelle High School who continued on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from American International College, where he played hockey on their nationally ranked team. Hal was a veteran of the United States Army.
Hal had a long career in magazine publishing with positions to name a few including former Publisher of House Beautiful’s Special Publications and Director of Good Housekeeping Magazines Special Publications. He was also New York Manager of Family Circle Magazine and Eastern Manager of Golf Digest.
While balancing a family and demanding career in Manhattan, Hal was involved in his community and neighborhood serving as President of the Parkway Circle Civic Association for many years and was a member of the committee to purchase Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester.
Until his sudden passing, Hal worked for over 20 years for Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate in their Scarsdale office where he was a friend to all and loved his HL family. He was a member of the Westchester County Board of Realtors and the New York State Association of Realtors.
Hal was a loving, kind, caring family man, devoted to his wife, daughter and grandson. A consummate gentleman who had a gift for making others feel special. Hal had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed a good laugh. A great dancer, he loved music, especially Frank Sinatra among others. He was hard working and had the best work ethic of anyone. Hal truly deeply cared about those around him. He loved boating and the water along with being an amazing ice skater from all his years playing hockey. Hal was an avid golfer for many years. He enjoyed rooting for his NY Rangers, Giants and Yankees - but preferred watching any sport his grandson Jack was playing.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 26th, 1-4 pm at Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home. A brief funeral service will be held Monday, July 27th, 11-11:30am at Bennett Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will immediately follow at 12pm at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
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