Reverend Joseph C. Shea

SHEA, Reverend Joseph C. Reverend Joseph C. Shea, M.S., 77, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died at the Hughes Rehabilitation Center in West Hartford, CT on (December 29, 2007). Born in July 11, 1930 in Roxbury, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (McKinnon) Shea. Father Shea attended primary school in Roxbury and Dorchester and St. Patrick's High School in Watertown and Boston College and Newman Prep before entering the La Salette Apostolic School in Hartford. Entering the La Salette novitiate in Bloomfield, on July 1, 1950, he made first profession of vows on July 2, 1951 and was ordained to the priesthood at the La Salette Shrine Church in Ipswich, MA on May 11, 1957. Shortly after ordination Father Joe volunteered to serve in the Morondava Mission in Madagascar and labored there in various mission posts: Antsalova, Miandrivazo and Mandabe. He served as pastor of the Cathedral in Morondava and held diocesan positions of Vicar General and Administrator in charge of the Diocesan Financial-Secretariat Offices. Father remained in Madagascar until 1992 when he returned to the States to serve as Mission Procurator for the Province of Mary Queen in St. Louis, Missouri in the community until 1999 when he was granted permission to return to Madagascar to his beloved people and mission. Father Shea served in the La Salette Mission of Madagascar until 2006 when illness necessitated his return to the States. He has been in residence at the La Salette Hartford House in Hartford, CT since the beginning of this year. In addition to his La Salette Community Father Joe is survived by four brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert and Gertrude Shea of Boston, MA; Dr. Francis and Mary Shea of Bedford, MA; Dr. William and Laura Shea of Lexington, MA; and James and Janice Shea of Alberta, Canada. The wake will be Monday, December 31, 2007 from 9-10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Hartford House Chapel, 85 New Park Avenue, Hartford at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT. Contributions in his memory may be made to: La Salette Missions of Madagascar in care of 915 Maple Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114-2330. Dillon Baxter Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.