Henry M. Shields
...WWII Combat Engineers, Am. Legion, D.A.V.; 85
TEWKSBURY - Henry M. Shields, 85, a well known member of many area fraternal groups, diedSaturday afternoon at the Life Care Center of Merrimac Valley in Billerica after a long period offailing health. He was the husband of Elinor G. (Bradley) Shields, who died in 1992.
He was born in Somerville, Aug. 17, 1917, a son of the late Thomas J. and Bridget (Daly)Shields. He was raised in Somerville and Medford and graduated St. Clement’s High School. Helived in Somerville before moving to Tewksbury in 1956. Since 1985, he had divided his timebetween Lake Worth Florida and Tewksbury.
He enlisted into the Army in 1942, and served in the 101st Combat Engineers Division in Europe. He was discharged as a Disabled Veteran at the rank of Captain in 1946. He then joined theNational Guard, Massachusetts 26th Infantry, where he served an additional 19 years.
He began his career with the Boston Elevated Railway Company, and retired as an operator forthe M.B.T.A. He also served as an officer of the Boston Carmen’s Union, Local 589.
He was a communicant of St. William’s Church, where he served as an usher. He was also amember of the Fr. Coppins Council of the Knights of Columbus, 4336, in Tewksbury.He served as an officer of both the American Legion Post 459 in Tewksbury and the DisabledAmerican Veterans Post 110 in Tewksbury, and was also a member of the Tewksbury V.F.W.Post 8164.
He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Maureen and her husband Laurence Kelley ofNo. Andover, Gail and her husband Ernest Hamilton of Tewksbury, and Carol and her husbandJames Wright Jr. of Methuen, one brother, Edward Shields of Fla., 11 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.
He was also father of the late Nancy Ann Manna, grandfather of the late Christopher J. Manna,and brother of the late John, Edward, Thomas and George Shields and Catherine GertrudeMurphy.
His funeral was Wednesday, Nov. 6, in St. William’s Church. Burial with military honors was at OakGrove Cemetery, Medford.
Memorials to Life care center, Activities Fund, 80 Boston Rd. No.Billerica, 01862 or the Community Family Alzheimer Daycare Ctr. 21 Walker St. Lowell, MA01854 will be appreciated.