Bernard Patrick Shea

Bernard Patrick Shea died in Carlisle, PA on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 after a short illness. He was a native of High Bridge, New Jersey and had resided in Carlisle for the last 25 years. Bernie was born March 11, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Patrick and Elizabeth Wright Shea. He was educated in the local public schools, where he excelled in athletics, earning 12 letters in soccer, baseball, and basketball. Bernie scored the first basket in High Bridge High's then new gymnasium. He also played semi-pro soccer for the Paterson-Dovers.
Bernie was a veteran of the US Navy, having served 4 years in the Korean War on the USS White Marsh. He was honorably discharged on June 10th, 1954.
Bernie worked for United Telephone Company for 38 years. He began in construction and then transferred to installation and repair, where he soon became a foreman. He then was appointed manager of the I and R department. In 1965 he was named Service Superintendant and was transferred to Newton, NJ. He retired in 1987.
In May 1989 Bernie was united in marriage with Shirley Moss Thom. He and Shirley traveled to different ports across the nation for the Annual White Marsh reunions. He enjoyed visiting with all his former shipmates. Bernie also enjoyed golf, and took pride in watching his son and grandchildren play sports. He volunteered as a Little League baseball and basketball coach.
In service, Bernie was a volunteer fireman in both High Bridge and Newton, NJ and was the Chief of the Newton Fire Department in 1986. His other civic activities include the Hampton Township Rotary, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow; and Town Councilmen in High Bridge. For 58 years Bernie was a member of the B.P.O.E. and American Legion. He was also a member of the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association.
Survivors include his beloved wife Shirley, two daughters, Beth (Rob) Reinhold and Margie (Peter) Gadziala, and son, Patrick (Chrysten) Shea; eight grandchildren Colleen (Wes) Donnelly, Patrick IV (Alexandra) Shea, Peter (Marcie) Gadziala, Hank Reinhold, Andrew Gadziala, Betsy Gadziala, Maggie Reinhold, Owen Shea, and great grandchild, Brogan Donnelly. His step children include Michael Thom, Charlotte (Brian) Crawford, Rick Thom and Gary Thom; and four step granddaughters. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret Mary Hann, and daughter Judith Carver.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 5, 2013 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 85 Marsh Drive, Carlisle, PA with Rev. Daniel Menniti as celebrant. Public graveside services will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Clinton, NJ, Monday at 3:00 p.m., August 5, 2013. Repast following graveside services at L. H. Taylor Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge, NJ. Friends are invited to call on Sunday, August 4, at the Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home, 219 N Hanover St. Carlisle, PA from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Please consider donations in Bernie's memory to "Bring Back our Mack", the project to return the 1948 Mack Fire Engine, originally owned by the Newton Fire Department to the Newton Fire Museum, at
www.newtonfiremuseum.org.
To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com.