Philip M. O'Shea

Philip M. O'Shea
The world lost a true gentleman on March 5th, 2021. Although Philip M. O'Shea's death at the age of 79 was not due to COVID, pandemic isolation caused his cancer to go undetected until it was past the point of treatment. We are heartbroken, and the world is a sadder place without him.An accomplished and entirely self-taught musician, Phil played guitar, piano, and drums, and was a talented vocalist. After encountering early success in his music career, performing at Top of the Hub and appearing on late-night television, he gave up crooning to settle down with the love of his life, Barbara (Tankard) Labrie.They built a happy life together while he started his career as an appliance store manager at Jarvis Appliance. In no time, Phil became the go-to appliance expert for everyone in the community. He went to work for many years at Wickford Appliance, where he was loved and respected by his colleagues.But Phil still played gigs, singing at weddings and other private events, even into his retirement years. He sang at the weddings of two nieces, Lynne Seeley, and Kerry Gorgone (husband Dan). Phil is also survived by nieces Catharine Cornwall (husband John) and Jodi Scamacca (husband Randy) and nephews Craig Campbell and Warren O'Shea. He leaves behind grand-nephews and nieces including:Asa, Kyle, Sean, and Gabrielle Seeley, Jack and Max Gorgone, Daniel McCarthy (wife Pamela), Sean McCarthy (wife Amber), Samantha Scamacca, and Cody Scamacca (wife Mandy), Kaleigh Campbell (husband Logan), Colin Campbell, and Kelsea Campbell.Phil was predeceased by his brothers Warren C. O'Shea (wife Ellie) and Raymond O'Shea (wife Aenna), and his sister, Gail Campbell (husband Joe), and he felt each loss deeply.Phil's wit and humor brought joy to everyone who knew him. He loved his family, good clam chowder, the Boston Red Sox, and the New England Patriots, and he had a joke for every occasion.He and Barbara, who passed back in 2009, donated generously to a wide variety of charities, and supported both people in their community and nonprofits around the country. Instead of sending flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society, which was one of their favorite charities. https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html Because of the pandemic, there will be no wake or church service at this time. The family is planning a celebration of life to take place over the summer. Details to come, but rest assured that wherever we gather to remember Phil, there will be top notch clam chowder. (He'd have insisted.)