Leighton Shields Jr.

Leighton Sheilds Jr., of Hingham, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2015, at the age of 90. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Leighton grew up in Washington, DC, Shanghai, China, and Berkeley, Calif. He, his mother and sister relocated from China to Berkeley and awaited the eventual release of his father, a U.S. government official, held by the Japanese. Leighton graduated from Bates College, Phi Beta Kappa in 1948 and received his M.A. from Harvard University where he pursued further graduate study work. He was employed by the U.S. Office of Price Stabilization, Harvard University, and for almost 45 years by Massasoit Community College where he was a professor of History, Economics, and Anthropology and Division Chairman, retiring at age 88. A gentleman who loved learning and scholarship, he was a kind and generous man, devoted husband and doting father. He leaves his wife, Gail P. of Hingham; daughter, Hilary W. of Cambridge; cousins, Martha Saunders of Hingham, Dawn Bilezikjian of California, Leigh Saunders-Kitcher of Virginia, and Gray Saunders of Scituate. He also leaves his good friend, Daniel Kimborowicz of Hingham. Visiting hours will be held at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond Street, Hingham, Wednesday, November 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Funeral will be held at Hingham Congregational Church, 378 Main Street, Hingham, Thursday, November 5, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hingham Public Library and Massasoit Community College Scholarship Fund. Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel Hingham Since 1882