Daniel Joseph Shea

Daniel Joseph Shea, Jr., 90, of Middletown, Rhode Island, died on March 5, 2026. Born in Newport, RI on February 27, 1936, he was the son of the late Daniel and Mary (Teahan) Shea. He was widowed by his first wife of 25 years, Helen (Toomey) Shea, and recently widowed again in August 2025 by his wife of 35 years, Margaret (Maynard) Bowley Shea.

Dan was a lifelong Aquidneck Island resident and proud supporter of its Irish heritage throughout his life. He grew up on Park Street in Newport and was a 1954 graduate of De La Salle Academy. He began a lifelong career at New England Telephone Company, first as a lineman, then rising through the ranks as a supervisor and retiring as a district manager. He cherished the friendships he made through the phone company and maintained contact with many fellow retirees through the Telephone Pioneers retiree organization. As a young family, Dan and Helen enjoyed a wide circle of family and friends on Aquidneck Island, including participation in the Town Howlers square dancing club for several years. Unfortunately, Helen passed away at a young age, but Dan's faith carried him on. He was fortunate to find love again and spent 35 years with Marge, as they joined their families. Dan's ultimate devotion was family, as evidenced by the joy he experienced through his roles of father and grandfather. The family theme also ran through his extensive research of family genealogy and support of Irish American Culture in Newport.

Dan is survived by two sons: Daniel Shea (Karen) of Portsmouth, RI, and Patrick Shea (Shannon) of Portsmouth, RI; and his stepchildren: David Bowley of Durham, NH, Stacey (Bowley) Yarrow of Middletown, RI, and John Bowley of Middletown, NY. He is also survived by his sister Helen (Shea) McGowan Gardner of Mattapoisett, MA, his sister-in-law Ruth (Toomey) Holland of Rumford, RI, and all of his grandchildren: Alanna, Kyla, and Niall Shea; Helena, Dylan, and Daniel Shea; Liam Coen; Evan Bowley; Emily and Andrew (AJ) Yarrow, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his wife Marge in August of 2025; his first wife Helen in September of 1984; his two sisters, Maureen (Shea) Greichen and Catherine (Shea) McNally; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Toomey) Smith and Mary (Toomey) Durning; and his stepdaughter, Beth (Bowley) Coen.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 4:00-7:00pm at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 13 at 10:00am in St. Lucy Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI. Burial will follow at St. Columba Catholic Cemetery.

The Shea family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and caregivers at both Newport Hospital and Royal Middletown. Their care and dedication were a gift to Dan and his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Shea Family Scholarship at Salve Regina University. Please designate contributions in memory of Daniel J. Shea Jr., c/o Salve Regina University/Shea Family Scholarship, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840.

Online Tribute at www.memorialfuneralhome.com