Francis J. "Frank" Shea

Francis J. "Frank" Shea, 61, of Worcester, died Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the UMass-Memorial Medical Center after an illness.

He leaves his wife, Mary (Sweeney) Shea; two children, Brian E. Shea and his wife Joy of Clifton, N.J. and Moira E. Shea of Worcester; a grandson, Connor Richard Shea of Clifton, N.J.; a brother, William E. Shea Jr. and his wife Karon of Worcester, his stepmother, Marguerite Shea of Worcester, a stepsister, Theresa Girouard of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and three nieces, Kellie Szydlik, Shannon Bartley, both of Worcester, and Erin Shea of Los Angeles, Calif. He was predeceased by a stepsister, Joanne Levesque of Worcester. He was born in Worcester, son of the late William E. Shea Sr. and Mary (Armstrong) Shea.

He graduated from St. Peter's High School and Worcester State College in 1971. He received his Masters Degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State College in 1974 and did advance graduate studies at Anna Maria College, Assumption College, George Washington University and Worcester State College. Frank served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Frank had a long and extensive career in education. Since 1975, he has worked for the Massachusetts Department of Education in several administrative positions. Most recently, he worked for many years with legal compliance issues for Massachusetts educators. Previously, he was an administrator in the state's GED program and a supervisor at the Central Massachusetts Education Service Center in West Boylston. He began his career as a special education teacher at the Mercy Centre for Developmental Disabilities in Worcester, where he was also a Special Olympics coach.

Frank was a community activist in support of several causes towards which he was passionately devoted. He believed deeply in the importance of public education for everyone. He was committed to expand opportunities for the disabled. He believed in the importance of the Boy Scouts of America in building character among young men. He valued the role of labor organizations in bringing fair and just treatment of workers. He was always active in politics and was loyal to his church and Irish heritage.

He was a member of the board of directors of the WAARC, now the Seven Hills Foundation, a former President and longtime officer of the Emerald Club, and a former chairperson of the Southern Worcester County Special Olympics Assn. He was a member of Christ the King Parish and former chairperson of its Religious Board of Education. He was a member and trustee of The Alhambra Council of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Knights' Bishop O'Reilly 4th Degree Assembly. He was also a member of the International Order of the Alhambra, a fraternal order dedicated to assisting the handicapped.

Frank was very active with the Mohegan Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was a longtime Assistant Scout Master for Troop #37. He served in many positions over the years on local and state councils of the AFL-CIO, including Local 509 of the Service Employees International Union.

He was a member of the Worcester State College Alumni Assn. and chairperson and secretary of the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. He was a member and former president of Phi Delta Kappa Central Mass. Chapter. He was a member of American Council on Education GED Testing Service, and chairperson of Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center Human Rights Committee in N.H.

Frank was honored by many organizations for his dedication to the many causes that inspired him. This weekend, he was to receive the 2008 Labor Democrat of Year Award from the Worcester Democratic City Committee.

Previously, he had been given the Commonwealth of Mass "Pride in Performance" Award; the Distinguished Service Award from the American Council on Education GED Testing Service; Boy Scouts of America Mohegan Council Silver Beaver Award; District Award of Merit and the Scoutmaster's Award of Merit; the Diocese of Worcester Catholic Scouting Committee St. George and Bronze Pelican awards; the Mass. AFL-CIO and Boy Scouts of America George Meany Award; Friends of the Retarded and Worcester County Deputy Sheriff's Assn. Community Service Award and the Emerald Club Shillelagh Award. He was inducted into the Metropolitan Diner's Club Hall of Fame in 1989.

Calling hours at Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, are Monday, June 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be on Tuesday, June 17, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seven Hills Foundation, 81 Hope Ave., Worcester 01603, the Mercy Centre, 25 West Chester St., Worcester 01605 or the Boy Scouts of America Mohegan Council, 19 Harvard St., Worcester 01609.