Frederick D. Shea Jr., 75
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Frederick Daniel Shea Jr., 75, of 143 Notch Road died on Friday, May 15, 2015. Born in Springfield on Oct. 9, 1939, a son of Frederick and Rosellen Southgate Shea, he attended Drury High School, taking its vocational courses.
Mr. Shea was employed at the former Photech paper plant in Williamstown for more than 30 years as a millwright. He was also president of IUE Local 224 at the plant.
As a very young man, he worked at the YMCA as a life guard and swimming instructor. A talented member of the YMCA men's wrestling team, he competed at the Western New England Championship and was slated to go to the Olympics.
A gunsmith since the early 1960s, Mr. Shea had a huge passion for the trade and talent for it like no other. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. He also was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish, and hunt everything from deer to squirrels and, by the way, you had to eat everything he brought home. There was no waste. He respected the outdoors as much as he loved it. He also was a longtime member of the Greylock Community Club.
A true family man, his family members, whether parent, in-law, or child were always No. 1. He was always "the man to call," mostly because he always had a smart, easy fix for everything. He was "the guy" who never turned his back on anyone who ever needed him.
His great friends from Florida Mountain had always called him "Big Bird" throughout the years because he was the biggest, kindest man they knew.
He married the love of his life, the former Carol Ann Field, on May 9, 1959, and they raised four beautiful children together. He always told her it was the "best choice of my life, my little chickadee!"
So, to everyone, this was Frederick D. Shea Jr., son, husband, father, grandfather and grea-grandfather. The best man we've ever known, our hero and protector always. Thanks for everything, Dad!
Besides his loving wife of 56 years, he leaves three daughters, Deborah Shea and her husband, Francis, Deirdre Chilson and her husband, David, and Kathleen Bassette and her husband, David; a son, Frederick D. Shea III and his companion, Karen Birch; nine grandchildren, Jessica Stanley, Frank Shea, James Shea, Laura Shea, Blair Shea, Jenny Shea, Amanda Foster, Dalton Bassette and Meghan Birch; 10 great-grandchildren; his brothers-in-law and their wives, Brent and Lorrie Field and Frank and Mary Field; his sister-in-law, Claire Barschdorf, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law, Carl Field, Rolando "Nino" Bernadera and Gerald Barschdorf, and his father- and mother-in-law, Frank C. and Marie Ann Field.
FUNERAL NOTICE - There was a private celebration of the life of Mr. Shea. Memorial donations are suggested for PopCares or to HospiceCare of the Berkshires through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.