Thomas John Shea, Jr., a 26 year resident of Wakefield, Massachusetts, and former life long resident of Charlestown, Massachusetts, died suddenly on Wednesday, December 14, 2005, at Melrose Wakefield Hospital in Melrose, Massachusetts. He was 56 years old.
Tom was born in Boston on September 1, 1949, and grew up in Charlestown where he attended Boston Public Schools and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1967. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 30, 1968, and served during the Vietnam Conflict. He was discharged as a Corporal on July 22, 1970. To further serve his country, Tom re-enlisted into the Marine Corps on May 30, 1972, and again served during the Vietnam Conflict. Tom was discharged as a Lance Corporal on May 29, 1974. Following his discharge he worked for Domino Sugar Refinery in Charlestown until its closing in 1986. From 1986 to the present, Tom worked for Boston Technical Engineers located in Boston as a Mechanic specializing in H.V.A.C. He was a member of the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers Union Local No. 3. Tom was a former member of the Majestic Knights Drum and Bugle Corps where he was a member for ten years. He was also a former member of Lt. Norman Prince VFW Post Drum and Bugle Corps in Melrose.
Tom is the beloved husband of Marie E. (Nixon) Shea. His dogs Elmo and Haley survive him. He is the brother of Madelyn Golden of Medford, Kevin Shea of Cambridge, Robert Shea of Medford, and the late Susan McCaffrey. Tom was the son of the late Thomas J. and Shirley (McAlevey) Shea. He is the son-in-law of Antoinette Nixon of Wakefield and her late husband Harold and the brother-in-law of Andrea Nixon of Wakefield and Nancy Mullen of Revere. He is the loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Toms Funeral will be held on Monday, December 19, 2005, from the Philip X. Carr Funeral Home, 1159 Main Street, Melrose, at 9:00 a.m. followed by his Funeral Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, 173 Albion Street, Wakefield, at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and Friends are invited. Visiting Hours for Tom will be held on Sunday, December 18, 2005, from 3 – 7 p.m. Burial will take place at Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.
In lieu of flowers kindly make memorial donations in Tom’s name to the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108, or North East Animal Shelter, 204 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970.