Obituary of Donald P. Shea

Bridgeport's Leading Community Activist Donald P. Shea, age 76, of Bridgeport, beloved husband of 48 years of Rita Gorman Shea, died peacefully on Sunday, April 23, 2006 in St. Vincent Medical Center. Born on December 5, 1929, Don was a lifelong resident of Bridgeport. He was the son of the late Michael Shea and Mary OConnell Shea. Don was a graduate of Central High School, class of 1949 and Fairfield University, class of 1956. Don worked in the insurance industry for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Upon his retirement, Don began his second career as one of Bridgeports leading community activists. Don became a regular participant at Bridgeports Planning and Zoning and City Council meetings, and was instrumental in trying to improve the sound system in the Common Council Chamber. Don worked tirelessly as an advocate for the people of Bridgeport on many issues, including the Congress Street Bridge, Seaview Avenue Corridor and beautification efforts throughout the city. He was the co-president of Bridgeport Trashbusters, a board member of Groundworks Trust, a senior advisory board member of the Bridgeport Health Department and treasurer of Central High School Class Reunion Committee of 1949. Don was an active member of the Greater Bridgeport Council, Bridgeport Historical Society, Bridgeport Unity Council, Bridgeport Citizens Union, Friends of Seaside Park, Gaelic American Club and the Freamh Eireann Genealogical Society, Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, PC Computer Club of Trumbull and the Sterling House Stamp Collectors Group. Don was an active volunteer for the Bridgeport Health Department Flu Clinics and the Sikorsky Historical Archives. Don received a number of awards from Bridgeport-based organizations including: Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, Greater Bridgeport Interfaith Coalition and RYASAP. Don was also a frequent contributor to the Live Letters section of the Connecticut Post. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Daniel Shea and his wife, Jeanmarie of Hackensack, NJ, Chris Shea and his wife, Susan of Monroe and his daughter, Mary Santilli and her husband, John of Trumbull, his sister, Arline Wyllie of South Hadley, MA and his sister-in-law, Eileen Gorman of Stratford. Don was also the proud grandfather of Meghan, Shannon and Molly Shea of Monroe, Jillian Shea of Hackensack, NJ and Peter John Santilli of Trumbull. Don is also survived by two nieces and a nephew. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brother, John Michael Shea, U. S. Navy, his sister Muriel Shea Schonagel and brother-in-law, Theodore Schonagel, his brother-in-law, Raymond Wyllie and his brother-in-law, James G. Gorman. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11:00 a.m. in Holy Name of Jesus Church, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in the St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call on Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Lung Association, 45 Ash Lane, East Hartford, CT 06108 or Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Ave., Stratford, CT 06614.