Eugene William Patrick "Gene" SHEA

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Eugene SHEA Obituary

SHEA, Eugene William Patrick "Gene"

105, passed peacefully in St. Petersburg, Florida October 3, 2017. Gene was born March 9, 1912 in Lake Placid, New York to James and Grace (Obrey) Shea. He enjoyed a close relationship with his four siblings, James Jr., Jack, Grace, and Edmund Shea, all predeceased. His father James owned "Shea's Market" and was a four-term representative in the New York Legislature. In their youth, Gene, age 11, and Jack, age 13, were members of a 5-person Grand Slam Skating team from Lake Placid that won every individual event in the 1923 International Speed Skating Championships held in New Brunswick, Canada. This accomplishment was featured in Ripley's Believe or Not. Jack Shea went on to win two gold medals in speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. Gene attended Dartmouth College ('34) and subsequently earned his law degree at Fordham University in New York City. He practiced law in Lake Placid and served as Justice of the Peace for Essex County, New York, until moving to St. Petersburg in 1946. Here, he found his true passion in real estate sales with Tourtelot Realty and Coldwell Banker. His success earned him the title "Deal A Day Shea". He served two terms as President of the Florida Amateur Athletic Union during which he was an early advocate for the racial integration of amateur sports.

Eugene Shea's amazing spirit lives on in his wife of 53 years, Marilyn "Kitty" Shea and 10 children, Nila J. Shea, Diane Shea-Piser (husband Phil), Dennis S. Shea (wife Paula), Danny E. Shea (wife Sandra), Dawn Shea, and Dana J. Shea; children from his former marriage to Ina M. Selee, deceased; Barbara McCombs (husband Jim), Carol Good (husband Bud), Donna Appel (husband Sid), and Robert A. "Sandy" Ewing Jr., children of Marilyn Shea and Robert Ewing, deceased; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and his beloved shelties, Jodi and Shepp. Memorial Park Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.The family is planning a private ceremony to celebrate his life.

Dad, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Memorial Park Funeral Home

5750 49th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33709

727-527-1196

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Published by Tampa Bay Times on Oct. 7, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene SHEA

7 Entries

Daniel

May 10, 2025

POEM BY
DANIEL EUGENE SHEA

Title:
"EUGENE WILLIAM PATRICK SHEA or DAD"

From Ireland to America came your
Grandfather Michael to start a new life
And, he took beautiful Mary Courtney to be his wife,
Your Father was borned and settled in Lake Placid, his name was James
Then, you were borned to carry on his name,
You lived a very, very, very, very, very, long life pray tell,
Outlived all your Sibs, school classmates, and your beloved horses Ms Ireland and Bonnie Bell,
We are sad to say after all those year you finally came to the end,
We will certainly miss your great stories told over over and over again,
So many of you might be asking today, "how long was he alive"?
Well, start with one hundred years then add five!
He would alway say,
Cherish each other´s shining eyes,
They will shine no more one day,
But we know you´re looking down on us with those shining blues,
And, I know, you know, we are all looking up at you,
You fished the lakes and hunted the mountains that´s a fact,
I´m sure everyone knew you as the great deer hunter from the Adirondack,
Sadly, those lakes and mountains will not be the same, that´s another fact,
Not without you, Jewthraw, Shielfied, Danny Frayne and your brother Jack,
You had many "Claims to Fame" to be sure
Champion speed skater, Salkie Racer, and oh yes, connoisseur of horse manure,
You have left this world and now have no cares,
I know that you're up in the clouds somewhere,
Also, I know you're happy as hell,
Riding around heaven on your "Dear old Bonnie Bell",
Even though you had a law degree selling Real Estate you did everyday,
And your reputation grew and were known as "Deal a Day Shea"
Your children loved you being a Realtor, as they could drive around in your big shiny Cadillac car,
Unfortunately, we all had to hold our noises when you smoked those big smelly cigars,
When you were younger your name was printed in "Ripley´s Believe it Not" for being a champion skater, you see,
And I think you should be listed again for doing a real estate deal at one hundred and Three,
You were a family man everyone could plainly see,
Six children, many grandchildren that would sit on your knee,
Your children were champions that's all they ever knew,
Maybe because you were a champion and the President of the AAU,
You lived a very, very, very, very very long wonderful life,
Full and complete with loving children, loyal horses, and your caring wife,
Let no one say your life was not worth living,
We all know your life was alway about sportmanship and giving,
A popular Irish blessing "May the Road Rise to Meet You" you would alway say,
Hope it´s true for you, Eugene William Patrick Shea

So I know the road has risen up to meet you

And, that the wind is at your back

And, the Sun is shining on your face as you cruse around heaven in your shiny Cadillac

So Eugene William Patrick Shea the race is over and you finished in First Place

However, your Family and Friends will remember you most for your kind smiling face

So today we all grieve

That you had to leave

Though you had so many undone endeavors

Dad, remember your Doctor said, Gene for God's sake "you can't live forever!"

Your great championship spirit I have to say

Will live forever because your name is Eugene William Patrick Shea

And I hope your taking your long walks on that heavenly beach full of sand.

So Dad, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Bonnie Kindel Martin English

October 6, 2021

What a remarkable life! I am honored to have known Gene and his family, as I was a school friend of Diane and in their home often during my middle school years. Very fond memories. God bless you all.

Dad and me. Big Smile.

Dawn Shea

October 3, 2019

Dad..you are missed everyday and our love for you transcends time and space. I will always remember how supportive, kind and patient you were with your children and your real estate customers. You truly were a fantastic real estate salesman. A good man, loving father, brother and son. I miss seeing your messy desk and hearing that typewriter clicking away as you wrote up a contract or listing agreement. Well, everyone is doing okay but lunches without you are difficult. We carry on the tradition though and have a great time remembering your life here on earth. My go to meal is yours...sausage, biscuits and gravy. It will always be my favorite because it reminds me of you. Love and miss you. ~Dawnie

Walt Smyth

October 13, 2017

Gene was a remarkable individual with a fascinating background. I knew him through real estate, where he was a fixture at Tourtelot Brothers for many years. Always friendly and entertaining, he was forthright in his dealings with others and a pleasure to work with. Gene was always working, and he was good at it. He certainly set an example for all of those in local real estate, particularly the younger generations. After a long and fulfilling life he has earned his reward and is now in a better place.

Judy Serata

October 7, 2017

Sending you my condolences, keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

October 7, 2017

My sympaathy goes out to the family during your time of grief.May God's loving kindness comfort you and help you though this difficult time.-Psalms 119:50,76 Lazaro

J.Leonard Levy

October 7, 2017

Had the privilege of working with Gene in
AAU swimming over 50 years ago. What a marvelous man. Regret that I hadn't seen him in recent years. Thoughts and prayers are with his family

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