Charles A. Shea, 87, passed away Sunday morning (February 24, 2019) at his daughter’s home in Watertown surrounded by his loving family. A graveside service will be planned for the spring at St. Francis Cemetery in Redwood, NY.
He is survived by sons Douglas (Joe Harman) Shea of Carrollton, TX, Barry, Rick and Rodney Shea, all of Clayton, daughters Sandra (Michael) Hogan of Chippewa Falls, WI, Shirley (Gary) Benney of Clayton and Susan Harris of Watertown, grandchildren Samantha VanVranken, Michelle Klemke, Jeremy Klemke, Jon Benney, Joshua Benney, Jacob Benney, Jack Benney, and Nicole Bennett, as well as 12 great grandchildren.
Charles was predeceased by his wife Virginia, an infant son Dennis, and a sister Betty Mattot of Camden NY.
Charles was born April 16, 1931 in Colton, NY, a son of the late Dennis and Erma (Hutchinson) Shea. He attended school in Colton before enlisting in the Army and began serving during the Korean War in 1952. After returning, he married Virginia Elizabeth Shannon on June 10, 1954, and they grew and raised a family in Northern New York. They moved to a farm between Clayton and Lafargeville where Charles spent decades owning and working on his own farm, then worked for Frink’s Snow Plow in Clayton then ran a sawmill in Clayton before retiring. After retirement, Charles cared for his wife until her passing in 1998, he then moved to Inverness, Florida. He recently moved back to the North Country to be with his family.
Charles was a member of the VFW in Lafargeville and enjoyed hunting, fishing, going on nature walks during his retirement, playing cards and dominoes, volunteering with his church and the homeless while in Florida.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St, Watertown, NY 13601. Condolences and fond memories can be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.
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