Thomas J. Shea

Thomas Joseph Shea was born to Irish immigrant parents Patrick and Elizabeth Shea on June 23, 1929 in Detroit, MI. He was the surviving brother of two younger sisters, Eileen Van Loozen and Patricia McMillan, and an older sister Mary Margaret who died early in childhood. As a child growing up during the depression and WWII, Tom developed a strong work ethic and shouldered responsibility at an early age. He contributed to the family's income by manually setting pins at bowling alleys and other physically demanding jobs. He served in the artillery branch of the US Army, from which he was honorably discharged after completing a tour of duty in Baumholder Germany. In 1951 and while still in the service, "Tom" married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Breitenbeck. In 1956, they moved to Utica, Michigan. As in his youth, Tom worked hard to provide for his new family. In his early years of married life, he worked various full-time jobs and attended a trade school for electricians. His last and longest employment was at Fisher Body Technical Center in Warren, MI, where he worked as an electrician before moving up into management. He retired after nearly 30 years of service. Tom valued his limited, precious time with family. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and longtime friends. In retirement Tom visited family in several states, attended an occasional Tiger baseball or Red Wing hockey game, hunted in the Upper Peninsula, and went on multiple fishing trips to Alaska with sons and friends. As an example of his devotion to family and personal generosity, Tom took 19 family members on a trip to Ireland to meet their distant relatives and discover the family's roots. He repeatedly said it was the best thing he had ever done. The trip was an emotional experience for all and remains a significant piece of his legacy. He remained a loyal and committed husband to his wife Audrey, caring for her at home until her passing in 2000 after a long illness. He shared some of his latter years with Judith Crow, before entering assisted living at Bickford Assisted Living and Memory Care, Shelby Township, MI. He is survived by his four children: David Shea, Carol Ishimaru, Ronald O'Shea, and Ann Dickinson; their families, as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674, or at americanheart.org; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org/tribute; or to Assured Hospice Care Inc., 25925 Telegraph Road Suite 320, Southfield, MI 48033. Tom's family will receive friends for a memorial gathering on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of his Celebration of Life service at 11:30 a.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 8459 Hall Road (3 blocks East of Van Dyke), Utica. His inurnment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly at a future date. Please share a story or leave a tribute at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com

Thomas J. Shea

June 23, 1929 - November 28, 2024