George J. O'Shea

George O'Shea, Jr, 93, of Wenham passed away peacefully on December 27th, 2022, surrounded his dedicated wife of 65 years, Ann O'Shea, his 16 grandchildren, and his seven children.
People were drawn to his charming smile, high energy, kind heart, deep intellect and compassionate demeanor. He had deep relationships which spanned many decades and powerful relationships that were far more recent. To his loving neighbors of many years, he was family.
The simple rule that he abided by was the Golden Rule. In the end what mattered to him was helping family and friends. Ironically, he was a man of many titles. George O'Shea Jr., former State Representative from Lynn, like his own father George O'Shea, sixth Congressional District Nominee, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services, Director of the School Adjustment Counselor Program for the State of Massachusetts, proud and decorated Korean War Veteran, professor at Northeastern University. Ironic because titles were irrelevant to him. His compassionate heart endeared him to people from all walks of life. He judged no one and stressed that "everyone has a story". Unlike most, he listened with care to those stories. The only titles that mattered to him were husband, father, grandfather and friend. George taught many great life lessons, including "the best things in life are free", "everything in moderation", "be kind to everyone", "family means everything".
If you met George, "Pops", "Poppy" once, you were a friend. He remembered your story and inquired with interest about how you were doing. Since childhood he fought for the underdog, and he championed the causes of people in need.
He proudly served his hometown, Lynn in the Legislature. He knew everyone in the city, but he found peace over the last fifty years in the small town of Wenham as an active leader in the Community. He became part of the fabric of the community serving on Boards, teaching religious education, coaching various sports and attending all of his kids and grandkids games.
He was a graduate of St. Mary's in Lynn, and Boston College, undergraduate and graduate school. He joked that his dream was for people to say - "not a bad fellow". He achieved that years ago. He loved West Beach, walks in nature, travel and drives off the busy roads. A well-read man who devoured four newspapers a day into his 90's he found great comfort in the last couple of years in his home, in his comfortable chair, in the presence of family and friends. He loved sitting quietly in the sun reflecting on a beautiful life he was profoundly grateful for.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann O'Shea of Wenham, his children George of Danvers, Michael of Essex, Christine and her husband Kevin Brophy of Hamilton, Kathleen and her husband Michael Kopanon of Essex, Kevin and his wife Trisha of Wenham, Brian of Newburyport, and Christopher and his wife Dawn of Beverly. His passion in life was being an involved grandfather to Haley, Aidan and Reagan O'Shea, Myles O'Shea, Finn, Emma and Owen Brophy, Meghan and Alexander King and Collin Sedgwick, Erin, Keegan and Kara O'Shea, Jack, Sam and Emily O'Shea, and Molly O'Shea. Their love for their grandfather was magical, his love for them unmatched. He was predeceased by his parents, George and Mildred O'Shea of Lynn, his sister, Muriel Delaney of Danvers. He is survived by his beloved sister-in-law Claudia Meaney of North Reading and his faithful brother-in-law Arthur Delaney of Danvers. He leaves countless nieces, nephews and friends. He will miss his dog Giada - she will miss the man who spoiled her at every table.
His Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of St. Paul, 50 Union Street, Hamilton on Friday, January 6, at 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly on Thursday, January 5, from 4-7 PM. Burial will be held at Iron Rail Cemetery, 25 Rubbly Road, Wenham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's memory to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, 371 East Main St., Smithtown, NY, 11787. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.