OBITUARY: Paul H. Shea, 90

Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:

WILMINGTON, MA — Paul Harvey Shea, age 90, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023.

Paul was born in Portland, Maine to the late John W. and Barbara (Kane) Shea. The youngest of three sons, Paul and his brothers were known for their boyhood adventures throughout the city of Portland and across nearby Peaks Island, Maine, where the family had their summer home. It was on Peaks Island that Paul met the love of his life and wife of over 61 years, the late Beverly Ann (Dennison) Shea.

After high school, Paul enlisted in the United States Navy and began active duty on January 15, 1951; he honorably served at sea during the Korean conflict. Paul was discharged on November 18, 1954; he returned home to his family and married his beloved Beverly. The couple settled in Wilmington where they stayed to raise their two children.

Paul and Beverly travelled the country and the world with friends and family and enthusiastically dove into every adventure. Paul was an avid bird watcher, reader, and life-long learner and became a skilled amateur photographer. Paul’s travel and nature photographs graced the walls of their home and catalogued the lives of those around him including many a grandchild’s soccer or football game or wrestling match and every family get-together.

Although Paul easily assumed the role of the man behind the woman or the man behind the camera, he didn’t shy away from the spotlight. He was such a natural conversationalist that his instructor at a Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Course used him as an example for the class. Paul never missed an opportunity to regale a dinner table with, “Let me tell you a story…” His sense of humor and ready smile were legendary throughout his long and successful career as a salesman at Contact East and with their many family, and friends.

Paul was the loving father of Stephanie Cunningham & her husband Bill of Rockport and John W. Shea & his wife Corinne of Reading. Loving “Grampy” of Lucas, Jenna, and Samuel Cunningham, John Shea II, and Cole Shea & his wife Rochelle. Loving brother of Robert Shea of Windsor, CT and the late John “Jack” Shea. Dear brother-in-law of Brenda Town & her late husband Hartley of Freeport, ME, Janet Tuttle of North Carolina and the late James Dennison & his late wife Penelope. Paul is further survived by many special nieces, nephews, and their families.

Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Wednesday, May 31st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A prayer service and military honors will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Paul’s memory to the Mass. Audubon Society and mail to the Development Office, Mass Audubon, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 or visit http://www.massaudubon.org.