Paul D. Shea

Mr. Paul D. Shea, of Waltham, died Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at his home. He was 83. Paul was born in Cambridge on June 23, 1925, the middle child of the late Casimir and Rosemary (Connolly) Shea. He was raised in Watertown where he graduated from Watertown High School and lived there until moving to Waltham in 1956. He and his family also spent many enjoyable vacations at Boothbay Harbor, Maine. After high school Paul joined the United States Navy where he served aboard the destroyer, USS Forrest. The ship and her crew were awarded six battle stars during World War II including awards for action during the D-Day invasion of France in June, 1944 and a year later in the Pacific during the battle for Okinawa. He later became a member of the 'Tin Can Sailors' Association. After returning from World War II he enrolled in the Massachusetts College of Art, a school his father had graduated from in 1917. With the help of the GI Bill, Paul graduated in 1950 and that same year began a 34 year teaching career with the Waltham Public Schools, retiring as the director of the school system's Art Department. He also earned a masters degree in education from Boston University. During his teaching career, Paul became a 'field trip pioneer' for art students. He was one of the first in his field to enrich the lives of his students by taking them to venues throughout Greater Boston including the Museum of Fine Arts. He also taught evening and summer school sessions for the Waltham program. After his retirement he could be found painting watercolor scenes throughout the area. He had been a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and a former member of the Holy Name Society of Saint Mary's Church in Waltham. He leaves his wife of fifty-nine years, A. Maureen (Dunphy) Shea; nine children, Paula Vizard of Waltham, Maureen Dowse of Avon, Connecticut, Michael Shea of Waltham, Carol Copan of Freeport, Maine, Kevin Shea of Newburyport, Brenda McGovern of Newton, Thomas Shea of Nashua, New Hampshire, Mary Rogers of Everett and Kathleen Montesanti of Waltham; his sister, Rosemary Corkum of Plantation, Florida; 20 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Paul was also the brother of the late Casimir 'Frank' Shea. Family and friends will honor and remember Paul's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Committal services will be held Tuesday morning at 10:45 a.m. in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society, c/o St. Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451.