Daniel Shea

Danny Shea was born in 1949, and died at home on Saturday, January 4, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Danny lived a life of service to his community, his country, and his family.
Danny served two tours of duty in Vietnam while serving in the Marine Corp from 1967 - 1970. He paid dearly for those years, struggling both emotionally and physically with the demons that war leaves behind.
Danny's career in law enforcement began as a corrections officer at Monmouth County Corrections Facility; then continued as a patrolman for Middletown Township. He served the bulk of his career as a police officer in Freehold Township where he eventually earned the rank of Lieutenant. For several years, he also served as an officer of PBA Local 209.
In a quest to better serve, Danny obtained certification in accident reconstruction. He shared his time and talent on-site, and in the classroom where he passed on his skills and experiences to many other law enforcement officers over his career spanning three decades.
He was a life member of the Brevent Park & Leonardo Fire Company, where he served for many years and made close, lifelong friends.
Danny worked hard to provide for his family, often working side jobs so he could afford to take them on camping trips. The many happy memories made during these trips to Vermont, Virginia, and up and down the east coast with his wife, kids, and dog in tow will live on forever.
Danny was a loyal friend who could always be counted on. Anyone who spent time camping, boating, or at the Leonardo Marina with him can attest to his caring demeanor (no matter how much he masked it behind his sense of humor.)
Danny also enjoyed fishing, hanging out at Leonardo Marina on his boat, and working out at the gym.
Danny's sense of humor and love of family and close friends defined his life.
It is telling that no one could find a photo of him where he wasn't doing something to make us laugh.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 45 years, Patti Shea, and his cherished children and their wives, Brendan and Naomi, and Molly and Marie-Paule. He leaves behind four grandchildren, Arya, Delia, Travis, and Joey, his sister, Ellen, many nieces and nephews and their families, loving in-laws, and close friends who, through the years have become family.
He is predeceased by his parents, Eleanor and Raymond Harrison, and his siblings Kathleen, Karen, Raymond, and Robert.
His family is forever grateful for the kindness shown to Danny in the past two years. Friends and family showed a deep love and compassion for him and for those who cared for him.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Or the Wounded Warrier Project
Death is nothing at all - I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before - only better, infinitely happier and forever - we will all be one together with Christ.
Carmelite Monastery, Tallow, County Waterford, Ireland