John F. SHEA Jr.

SHEA, John F. Jr.


John F. Shea, Jr. of Hobe Sound, FL and Manchester, CT passed away on Friday (May 10, 2013). The son of John F. and Irene A. Shea, he was born in Manchester of September 11, 1928. He attended local schools in Manchester and graduated from Providence College and the University of Connecticut Law School. He practiced law for many years in Manchester with the law firm of Marte, Shea and Keith. He served as legal counsel to the towns of Manchester and Coventry. Active in politics, he served as a Republican Town Chairman, State Central Committeeman and County Chairman. In 1961-1962 he was a State Representative in the Connecticut General Assembly and later served as legal counsel to the House of Representatives. He was also a member of the Judicial Council and the Criminal Justice Commission of the State of Connecticut. His legal career was highlighted by his successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a conviction in a highly publicized murder trial. In 1973 he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court and served in that capacity until 1980 when he left the bench to become the Vice President and Claim Counsel for Aetna Life and Casualty. Following his retirement from Aetna, he purchased a home in Florida and spent much of the year there. An avid golfer, he belonged for many years to the Manchester Country Club and the Heritage Ridge Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL. Among his many business and professional associations, he was on the board of the former Society for Savings in Hartford, the International Association of Defense Council, the American Insurance Association and was a past trustee of the University of Connecticut Law School Foundation. He was predeceased by his first wife, Grayce K. Shea, his son Kevin Shea, and his brother Thomas Shea. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Polly Shea, three children, Martin Shea and his wife Lynn, Christine S. Riordan, Daniel Shea and his fiancée Doris, and three grandchildren Matthew, Colin and Isabella Shea. He is also survived by five stepchildren, Casey Magan Waddell, Craig Magan, Glenn Magan, Christopher Magan, Cathy Magan and their spouses, and two step-granddaughters Eva and Zoe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 17th, at 11 a.m. at St. James Church 896 Main St. Manchester followed burial in St. Bridget Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of John's son, Kevin Shea, to the DeQuattro Community Cancer Center 100 Haynes St. Manchester, CT 06040. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.