Rev. John J. Shea

Rev. John J. Shea

John Shea Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 12 to Aug. 13, 2008.
Rev. John J. Shea HOLYOKE - Rev. John J. Shea, 88, former Pastor of Immacu-late Heart of Mary Church in Granby, died Sunday at the Providence Hospital. Born in Holyoke son of the late John J. & Katherine (Martyn) Shea. Educated in Holyoke schools he attended St. Charles College in Catonsville Mds. & The Grand Seminary in Montreal 1941 - 1945. He was ordained by the late Bishop Rev. T.M. O'Leary DD on Jan. 13, 1945 in Springfield. He did Postgraduate studies at Catholic University (School of Canon Law. CURATE: Williman-sett, Saint Mary, 2/16/45 to 8/31/45; Adams, Saint Thomas, 8/31/45 to 10/6/51; Springfield, Mercy Hospital, 10/6/51 to 9/30/53; Springfield, Mercy Hospital, 6/21/54 to 7/17/54; Springfield, Saint Luke Home, 2/4/67 to 6/27/70. POST GRADUATE: Catholic University (School of Canon Law), 9/30/53 to June 1955 (J.C.L. June 1955); North American College, Rome, October 1955 to July 1956 (Doctorate in Canon Law). CURATE: (pro-tem) Sheffield, Our Lady of the Valley, 8/21/56 to 10/6/56; Holyoke, Blessed Sacrament, 10/6/56 to 6/29/57; Palmer, Saini Thomas the Apostle, 6/29/57 to 2/4/67. VICE-OFFICIALS: 9/10/62 to 8/9/69. OFFICIALS: 8/9/69 to 3/1/82. PASTOR: Granby, Immaculate Heart of Mary, 6/27/70 to 2003. APPOINTMENTS: Diocesan Consultor, 5/16/73 to 5/16/76, 5/16/76 to 5/16/79, 5/8/79-5/8/82, 6/8/82 to; Priest Senate, 6/9/80 - 6/9/83; Episcopal Vicar of Greater Holyoke, Hampden Central and Hampden West Vicariate, 7/15/78 to 7/15/81; Episcopal Vicar for Greater Holyoke, Hampden Central and Hampden West Vicariate, 10/15/81 to 10/15/84; Episcopal Vicar of the Greater Holyoke, Hampden Central and Hampden West Vicariate for three-year term, 1/7/85 to 1/7/88; Episcopal Vicar of the Greater Holyoke, Hampden Central and Hampden West Vicariate 10/1/88 - 10/1/91; Episcopal Vicar of the Greater Holyoke, Hampden Central and Hampden West Vicariate 2/1/91-1/1/96; Pro-Synodal Judge, 5/1/82 to 5/1/92 (ten years); Chairman of the Diocesan Building Commission, 10/1/88 to 10/1/90; Judge to the Provincial Court, Springfield Division 11/23/89 - 11/23/92; Diocesan Building Commission, 1/1/96 - 9/30/96. RETIRED: 7/1/03 Providence Place, Holyoke, MA 01040 for appointments, etc. He leaves three brothers, Joseph & Jerome Shea of Holyoke & James Shea of Springfield. He was predeceased by a brother Edward Shea. Rev. Shea leaves several nieces & nephews. A concelebrated Mass will be said on Thursday at St. Patrick Chapel of St. Jerome Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Jerome Cemetery. Rev. Shea will lie in state at St. Patricks Chapel on Wednesday from 5-7PM. Followed by at Prayer Vigil at 7 PM in the chapel. The Hobert Funeral Home, Holyoke are in charge of arrangements. Hobert Funeral Home Tel. 534-4535. Family owned in 1894. "Helping you make the right choice'

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Sign John Shea's Guest Book

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September 4, 2008

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson posted to the memorial.

September 4, 2008

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2008

helen bergeron posted to the memorial.

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson

September 4, 2008

The Granby days: Fr. Shea gave love to all. The rectory was open to we teens, our Folk Mass Group, special parties. Years of memories: masses, weddings and parties. Fr. Shea gave a listening ear, the BIG smile, sense of humor and best he gave his open warm heart. You are missed and to be always remembered.

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson

September 4, 2008

The Granby days: Fr. Shea gave love to all. The rectory was open to we teens, our Folk Mass Group, special parties. Years of memories: masses and weddings, parties. Fr. Shea gave a listening ear, the BIG smile, sense of humor, and best his open, warm heart.

helen bergeron

August 24, 2008

you are gone but will never be forgotten. your warm smile will always be remembered in everyones hearts i rememberd you from my christian doctrine days as a teenager from st. thomas church

Matt + Sharon Stuart

August 18, 2008

Father Shea did so much for the parish in the time he was there.
The one thing that stood out about Father Shea was his laugh- He made Santa Claus look like an amateur when it came to a good laugh. That Laugh and his outlook on life made the people around him feel welcome.
Even at my Mom's funeral (Which I know was tough for him) We still found time after for a joke and laughter, Which is how she would have wanted it.
What a great guy, and a spiritual leader to us all.

Gabe Pula

August 14, 2008

Father Shea will always be remembered by the people of Granby. He ran Vacation Bible School in the summers,Church BBQs and the famous Giant Bazaar. He was the most well known priest Granby ever had.

Bill & Carol Dunn

August 13, 2008

We were married by Fr. Shea in Gramby and have many fond memories of this great man.
May you rest in peace

BOB AND EILEEN SHEEHAN

August 13, 2008

DEAR FATHER SHEA: YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY THE PARISH. WE WILL ALL BE PRAYING FOR YOU. YOU WERE OUR FRIEND AND PASTOR, A JUDGE WHO DID NOT JUDGE AND WHO MINISTERED TO 4 GENERATIONS OF THE SHEEHAN FAMILY. MAY YOU REST IN WELL DESERVED PEACE AND ENJOY THE EVERLASTING BEATIFIC VISION

Alisha Khoury

August 13, 2008

I'll never forget Father Shea. He had a great sense of humor. He will live in my heart and my photo albums forever-after all, it was he who baptized me. And I made my first communion with him and made my confirmation with him as well. Father Shea, you will always be 45 years old in my mind-

Fr. Michael Devlin

August 13, 2008

To the Shea Familyand Shirley:
A great man has passed our way. I remember him fondly from my days as Chaplain at Providence Place. May he rest in peace. God bless.
Fr. Michael Devlin

August 13, 2008

father shea you will be miss by so many people. you touch my family so many ways.may you rest in peace.yvette vail

Colleen Fish

August 13, 2008

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. It was an honor to have my son Nicholas baptized by you.

John & Sharon Cullinan

August 12, 2008

Father Shea, We have so many fond memories of Granby with Shaun and Seamus serving under your guidance. We will never forget you.

Cindy Dec-Gaspari

August 12, 2008

The door to the Rectory was always open - the refrigerator was always stocked with Coke and Suzie Q's !! Whether it was stuffing envelopes, getting candles ready for First Communion, working the Blood banks or doing KP on Bingo nights Fr. Shea was always there with a belly laugh and a "How do ya do?" I spent many hours a IHM with friends and we ALL had a great time. You will be missed Father. Watch over us.

Cindy

M J Beauchemin

August 12, 2008

Father Shea's first posting after the seminary was at St. Mary's in Willimansett. he was a favorite there and also here in Granby.
Thank You Father Shea and rest in peace.

Rhonda and Jay Fabricius

August 12, 2008

He will be sadly missed. We have fond memories of him. He baptized Savannah and Logan. Our thoughts are with his family.

Diane Snyder

August 12, 2008

We will miss you Father Shea.
Gordon, Diane, Gabby and Eva

Maureen & Chuck Gonnello

August 12, 2008

It was my pleasure to work with Fr. Shea at the Tribunal from 1977 until his retirement. He not only taught me much about Canon Law, but we all enjoyed many parties on 73 Chestnut St. He will be missed!!

Kathy & Tom Blomstrom

August 12, 2008

"Top of the mornin to you,Father."
Father's response was, "and the rest of the day to you , too."

"May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
And may you be in heaven before the Devil knows your dead."
I'm sure you are.

These were some of Fr.'s favorite sayings. He loved to joke.
We loved you very much and will miss that great smile.

Save a spot for us! We'll have a good laugh!

Love you, Kathy and Tom

Jim Gonsalves

August 12, 2008

I will never forget the man who was there whenever he was needed. Whether it was a visit to a loved one who was in the hospital or helping us as kids understand the death of a friend, he was there for us. I pray for his family and all who feel this loss.

Jeannette LePage

August 12, 2008

Father Shea was such a beautiful part of my life, I will never forget him. My son & daughter made 3 of their sacraments with Fr.Shea, my grandchrildren were Baptised by him, and his last Blessing to us was Blessing our marriage 7 yrs ago and I have felt Blessed eversince. We Love you Fr. Shea and will keep you in our prayers always.
Love Bob & Jeannette LePage

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September 4, 2008

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson posted to the memorial.

September 4, 2008

Joanne (Ludlam) Benson posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2008

helen bergeron posted to the memorial.