Thomas Albert Shea

Thomas Albert Shea, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at St. Petersburg, Florida surrounded by loved ones.

Tom was born to Constance Cunningham and Robert Shea on December 23, 1962, in the picturesque town of Bar Harbor, Maine. The backdrop to his childhood was Acadia National Park and Long Pond, USA. He was proud of his roots and his connection to Mt. Desert Island. He made the journey back every year and took many friends along. He loved sharing his home and "Casper's House." He cherished family time on Cadillac Mountain and lobstah at Thurston's. Boy, was he wicked upset when the Epi closed. Tommy would always order the Italian with extra pickles.

His grandparents, Albert and Vera Cunningham, helped shape a remarkable and confident person. He leaves behind two younger brothers, Andrew and Toby Shea. He often told stories of his childhood at camp-bows and arrows and no-sock summers.

Tom graduated with honors from Southern New Hampshire College in 1984 with a bachelor's degree. Southern New Hampshire College in Manchester, NH, is where our love story began. He had the biggest personality in the room and the prettiest blue eyes. I was smitten. Tom and I had an amazing and adventurous courtship. We exchanged vows on March 16, 1985, and headed to Illinois.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would live in three states and London, England, in seven years. Tom Shea started his career at 23 years old with Butcher's Wax. He was a natural salesman, and his career took off-literally. He soon was opening distributorships in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Middle East. Tom was a family man, and once his sons Jeffrey Robert Shea and Casey Charles Shea started playing sports, his heartstrings tugged. The traveling stopped; instead of persuading clients, he went on to coach and mentor Carroll County, Maryland athletes in football and baseball.

There was not a fiercer competitor than #12, the Cheeseburger Quarterback. Trick plays, deception, and agitating Earl the referee were part of any given Sunday in Tom's flag-football league. Jeff and Casey grew up with the team and have fond memories of Cal Bitner's and playing Keno. They both learned from the best-being coached by Dad was priceless! Even when he was ejected!

Tom morphed from selling wax and cleaning supplies to mortgages with James Adamson and his stellar team. Tom was the people's champ, and his true desire to help first-time buyers made his transition to a mortgage lender a breeze. It's easy to see why Tom Shea was a top producer at Ameris Bank.

Tom enjoyed the Baltimore Ravens-Section 551. It was a ritual: pick up Lenny at the Legion at 9:15. At Lot H, Tom Cockey would be waiting with the best tailgate in town. Tom Shea was all in for the Ravens party. It meant time with his Gumba, conversations with friends, and sausage bread!

Captain Tom made his dream of charting his way down the Intracoastal Waterway a reality in 2024. We boarded the 60-foot motor yacht named TWO SHEA, and my bestie and I headed for places like Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, Vero Beach, and Key West-too many stops to list. Then, for the ultimate experience, we made the four-hour crossing to the Bahamas. First stop: Big Game Capital of the World! We swam with sharks, turtles, and dolphins. I even caught a barracuda!

My Captain, my Captain-guide us through these rough waters. He leaves behind a host of family members, tailgaters, and pickleball players from Annapolis to Florida. His tentacles reached far and wide. He never missed an opportunity to say hello to a stranger and make a new friend. Big T, you were my rock. We have been through storms, broken bones, and mechanical failures. Tom never showed fear, always had a plan, and I trusted him with my life. Anchors that let go, engines that didn't start, two broken wrists-he never complained about his pain. He wanted this final journey on open water to prove that he could do anything. And he really could. He was my knight in shining armor, my lighthouse. He made me stronger and turned me into a sea-loving lady.

Thank you, Tom, for always believing in all of us-that we all can do hard things. I will miss dancing to the Grateful Dead. I will continue to dance in tie-dyed clothes and know that every silver lining has a touch of grey.

Thank you, Waterside, for embracing Tom and his sense of humor and returning his serve. He wanted more time with all of you. Recently, just four weeks ago, Tom encouraged me to get a job. He and God must have known I would need comfort animals in my life. I am now a devoted dog walker, offering overnight care and pet vacations to furry friends.

It was a long, strange trip…40-plus years. Tom was a big dreamer with a gypsy spirit. "His Love was Real-not fade away!" I will end with a few lyrics from his Favorite Song…I'm sure Jeff turned him on to the band String Cheese!

We are planning a celebration of life in Maryland. The third week in July, we will have another celebration at Mt. Desert Island.

I'm gonna stop and think twice about the way that I'm living- "Take time to give thanks, make time to be giving.:

Did I say a kind word? Am I proud of my actions?

You know a job well done Gives me great satisfaction.

Can I earn your trust, love and affection?

Just one step at a time in the right direction

I'm gonna aim for the sky. Keep my feet on the ground

Raise my voice to the heavens, and make A Joyful Sound"

By Stacey Shea