SPRINGFIELD – Thomas P. “Tossie” Shea, Jr., 89, of the East Forest Park section and a former longtime resident of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on August 12, 1922, a beloved son of the late Thomas P. and Hannah T. (Moriarty) Shea. He was raised in Springfield, graduated in 1939 from Cathedral High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Motor Machinist Mate First Class. He served aboard the USS Landing Ship 265 and received the American Theatre Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Medal with Three Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and returned to his job as a machinist at the former American Bosch. He later became a Firefighter for the City of Springfield. He was stationed at the North Main Street Station and retired in 1985 from the Massreco Station after 33 years of service to the City of Springfield. Tossie was a past president, secretary and treasurer for the International Association of Firefighters Local 648 and a life trustee of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. He was also a Director of the Greater Springfield Credit Union, a life member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club, a member of the American Legion Post 430, the Elks Lodge 61 in Springfield and a member of the Knights of Columbus Unity Council 2212 in West Springfield. Tossie was active in the community and enjoyed volunteering at the Shriners Hospital for Children and assisting the United Way Foundation. During his leisure time, he was always ready for a good game of cribbage with his many friends. He was a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Springfield. Tossie loved his family and friends and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend of 29 years, Eileen M. (Sullivan) Shea, who was Called Home on February 5, 1985. He leaves: his loving son and daughter-in-law, Thomas P. Shea and his wife, Norene, of Longmeadow; his two cherished granddaughters whom he adored, Paula E. and Megan T. Shea; his dear brothers, George Shea and his wife, Kathy, of East Longmeadow and Edward Shea of West Springfield; and his many nephews and nieces. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear sisters, Mary McGuire and Irene O’Malley. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, August 4, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His burial with Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations in his memory be made to either the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield, MA 01118.