John G. (Jerry) Shea, 87 passed away at Open Arms Hospice in Greenville, SC on December 30, 2017with his wife and eldest daughter at his side.
The son of the late John S. Shea and Margaret Blust Shea, John attended St. Bernard’s Catholic School and graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1948. He was a Saranac Lake resident until 1976 enjoying the many surrounding lakes for camping and boating.
John was a United States Navy veteran serving during the Korean War where he gained skills he used to secure a position with Western Electric. He retired from AT&T in Little Rock, AR in 1990 after 38 years of service and moved to Greenville, SC. He was a member of the Elks Club, American Legion and Telephone Pioneers. He enjoyed spending time with his family and dog Max, and using his mechanical skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges around the house.
John is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Eleanor Sprague Shea; daughters Patty Curry (Scott) and Kathleen Backenson (Bryon); and grandchildren Michael Curry and Megan Curry. John was predeceased by his sisters Margaret Shea and Loretto Shea Ballard.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday January 5, 2018 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Saranac Lake. Burial will be in Saranac Lake in the spring.