Avid golfer lived a full and successful life with his family and friends
Published June 9, 2021
NAPLES, Fla. — Richard (Dick) Shea, 84, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Melrose and Osterville, Massachusetts, passed away on May 26, 2021, while surrounded by his loving family, due to complications with Parkinson’s Disease.
Dick is survived by his beautiful wife of 62 years, Barbara (Beaudoin) Shea. Five children, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild also survive Dick. His family includes his son Michael and his wife Lynn Shea of Melrose and their children Matthew, Megan, Ryan, Michael and his great-grandchild Thomas. He is also survived by his daughter Patricia and her husband Steve Bergey of Chapel Hill, North Carolina along with with their children Colin and Camden. He is also survived by his son Stephen Shea of Melrose and his children Amanda and Sara. Dick’s son Brian and his wife Katie Shea of Lynnfield with their children Emily, Thomas and Patrick also survive him. He is also survived by his daughter Catherine and her husband Derek Thexton of Augusta, Georgia with their children Emma, Grace and Jack. Dick’s sister Shirley of Wakefield and her children Kevin and Jimmy also survive him.
Dick graduated from Malden Catholic High School, where he was a captain of the varsity golf team as well as a member of the orchestra. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Boston College where he was a member of the All-State golf team and he was a recipient of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship.
Dick graduated from BC in 1958, and was then commissioned to the Army. He was assigned to serve in Germany for nearly four years, where he achieved the rank of captain. He formed an association with a local orphanage, where he brought smiles to children’s faces, coached a military travel basketball team and earned an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service.
Dick owned and operated the T.H. Glennon company for 42 years. T.H. Glennon is still going strong today under the leadership of his son Brian.
Dick was a true pillar of the community and served his faith in many capacities over the years. He was a Eucharistic Minister at Incarnation Catholic Church. He also served on the board of directors for Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for nearly a decade, including serving as president for two consecutive terms. Under his leadership and vision, the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital golf day fundraiser ran successfully for 25 years. He also founded the Boston Cardiac Foundation, which still provides for the community today.
Dick enjoyed watching his alma mater, Boston College, play football and basketball. He was also a dedicated Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan. Dick loved the game of golf, and he was a student of the game and worked hard at maintaining a single-digit handicap for well over 30 years. Dick was a fierce competitor; he enjoyed golfing with his buddies and poking fun at each other after a round. His love of golf led him to serve on the board of directors at both Bellevue Golf Club and Oyster Harbors Club. Dick was also chosen as the president of Bellevue for two years and Oyster Harbors for three years, which he considered one of his greatest honors in life. He also served on the Massachusetts Golf Association Board for six years and was a long-time member of the New England Senior Golf Association.
Dick and his family would like to thank everyone who encouraged and supported him throughout his life and during his battle with Parkinson’s. Dick lived a full and successful life, and left a wonderful legacy of treating all he encountered with integrity, respect and grace. A special acknowledgement to Avow Hospice and Home Instead of Naples, Florida for their dedication and compassion. A celebration Mass will be held in his honor at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that people please consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give or The Boston Cardiac Foundation, https://www.bostoncardiacfoundation.org/. To send a message of condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com.
