Francis H. Shea Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

East Greenbush, NY Francis H. (Frank) Shea died March 12th, 2021 at the Evergreen Commons Nursing Home in East Greenbush, New York. He was 76 years old. He was born October 14th, 1944 to Stephen Shea and Helen (nee Hannigan) Shea. He grew up in Crestwood section of Yonkers, NY with his two older sisters, Helen and Elizabeth, and older brother, Stephen Jr. He attended Iona Prep in New Rochelle, NY and graduated in 1962. He received his BA in history from Holy Cross College in Worchester, MA in 1966. He then attended Fordham Law School, graduating in 1969 with a JD and passing the bar in New York that same year. In 1969, he married the love of his life Ann Shea (nee Amy). They joined the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program and worked as a part of MALDEF—the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in St. Paul, Minnesota. After VISTA, they returned to New York and he attended Columbia Business School and graduated with an MBA in 1973. They lived in Bronx, NY and had a son, Francis Jr. in 1975. They had a daughter Helen Ann in 1978. They moved to Mamaroneck, NY and lived there for 30 years. While there he was a dedicated, loving husband and father. He coached little league and soccer. He took the family on many Grizwoldian vacations. In the summers, the family vacationed on the north shore of Long Island in Cutchogue, NY—where he had vacationed growing up. In the 70’s and 80’s, he worked for WR. Grace, where he developed an expertise for real estate law specializing in the retail store market. In the 80’s and 90’s, he worked for Herman’s World of Sporting Goods and Marshall’s Stores rising to the position as Vice President of Real Estate. He later became Senior Vice President—Real Estate for Petrie Retail. Then Senior Leasing Manager for Strategic Resources Corp. Then Vice President—Leasing Manager for Acadia Realty Trust. He started his own consulting firm in 2007. In 2010, he started consulting for Marcato Elevator Company, where he had a very productive and enjoyable end to his career. Frank was a dedicated parishioner at Saint John and Paul’s Church for 30 years. He was an avid baseball, football and soccer fan. He was a huge fan of comedy ranging from Sid Caesar to George Carlin to Saturday Night Live to John Cleese to John Mulaney. He was a lifelong Yankee fan and one of the joys of his life was going to baseball games with his daughter. He enjoyed playing golf with friends, but was admittedly not very good at it. Frank was a workaholic and always tried to cram more than was conceivably possible into a day and was always disappointed in himself when he didn’t accomplish it all. He always tried to share a smile or a laugh with everyone, especially a stranger. Frank was a lifelong Liberal Democrat and experienced all the idealism and frustrations that go along with that. In his boisterous moments, he would mention his brief interactions with Bobby and Ted Kennedy or meeting Mohammed Ali on the street. His wife, Ann, passed away after a 4 year battle with Ovarian Cancer in 2015. They were married for 46 years, but a couple for 52 years. After Ann’s passing, his life was never the same and a day didn’t go by where he didn’t feel lost without her. In 2016, he was diagnosed with the rare immune disorder CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyleninating Polyneuropathy), a rare condition where the immune system attacks the nerves in the arms and legs and then in worst cases the lungs and other organs. No matter how hard things got, as he lost the ability to walk or move his arms, legs, feet and hands, he kept pushing harder and harder to get better and not give up his love for life. He finally lost his battle on March 12th, 2021—when his lungs gave out suddenly. He is survived by his two children--Francis (Frank) Shea Jr. and Helen Ann Shea; his sisters, Helen (Lynn) Shea and Elizabeth (Beth) Fearon; his brother in law, Stephen Fearon; sisters in law, Gail Shea, Regina (Gina) Amy, Mary (Mary Lou) Amy, and Nancy Amy; and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. He is predeceased by his wife, Ann Shea; father and mother, Stephen and Helen Shea; his brother, Stephen Shea Jr.; father in law and mother in law, Alfred and Ann Amy; brothers In law, Alfred Amy Jr., John Amy, James Amy, Charles Amy, and Paul Amy; sisters In law Lilyan Amy and Elaine Moore Amy; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services are still to be determined because of the complications of the covid epidemic. Loved ones and mourners are asked to stay healthy and safe, be happy and love one another. If you can make someone you know (or don’t know) smile or laugh in Frank’s honor, he would be pleased. Please no flowers.

Francis H. Shea

October 14, 1944 - March 12, 2021