GLOUCESTER – William H. Shields, 91, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, October 2, 2014 in the Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was the husband of Joyce E. (Saulnier) Shields.
Born in Gloucester on December 16, 1922, he was the son of the late Harry D. and Mabel (Crouse) Shields. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and a graduate of Gloucester High School class of 1942.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served as a radioman and was honorably discharged in March of 1946.
Bill was employed as a warehouseman for the former Gloucester Ice and Cold Storage on the State Fish Pier for over twenty years. He then worked for Quincy Cold Storage for twenty-five years, having retired in 1987.
He was a life-member of the Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892. A true gentleman, he never had a bad word about anyone.
Bill was a loving and devoted husband and father. Above all, his greatest joy was derived from spending time with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his wife of sixty-three years, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Kenneth Munroe and Cheryl and Thomas Vaiarella, six grandchildren, Nicole, wife of Steven Fountain, Kenneth Munroe, Jr., Natalie Munroe, Colson Munroe, Thomas Vaiarella, Jr. and Michael Vaiarella; great-grandchilren, Dennis, Jr., Haleigh and Adam Guzofski, Kierston, Dylan and Connor Fountain and Emma Munroe; two sisters, Isabel Lowe and Madeline Parsons; a brother, Russell, husband of Ann Shields and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by three stepbrothers, James, John and Richard Madruga.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 10 am – 12 noon. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Services will be privately held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Dr., Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140.