John “Jack” Shea, 87, died June 11, 2019 at Loris Rehab and Skilled Nursing Home in Loris, SC falling victim to Parkinson’s Disease. Previously Jack was a 20 year resident of the Little River community.
Born on June 1, 1932 in Pittsburgh, Pa, he was the son of the late John Francis and Mildred Morgavo Shea. Jack is survived by his estranged wife, May Morrison Shea; son John Edward (Connie) Shea; daughter Kim Marie Shea; grandson, John Michael O’Shea (Josey); and granddaughters Jennifer Lynn Pecorari (John), Melissa Marie Shea-Lawson (Julie), Catherine Hamil (Andrew), and 12 great grandchildren.
At age 17 while pitching in a local ballgame Baseball Hall of Famer Pie Traynor, who was a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club, noticed his knuckleball pitch and signed him to a contract. Due to an injury his career was shortlived. He then began a succesful 35 year career in retail merchandising.
Upon retirement Jack pursued his love of golf spending the next few decades retailing, playing, and teaching golf in a professional capacity at clubs around the Pittsburgh area and several North and South Carolina coastal courses. He was a member in good standing in the Tri-State PGA. He also enjoyed playing golf with his friends and PGA members in the Beaver Falls and Ellwood City area.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Lee Funeral Home in Little River, SC from 2-5pm.
A Roman Catholic Mass will be held at 12:00 noon, on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in North Myrtle Beach. Burial will follow at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens, North Myrtle Beach, SC.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
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