Donald J. Shea

Templeton- Donald J. Shea, 91, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017 at the Baldwinville Nursing Home in Templeton. Donald was born in Norwood, MA on May 7, 1926 to the late James J. Shea and Marion (Gallagher) Shea. He was a resident of Athol nearly all his life. Eager to be a “part of history”, he was a WWII veteran, leaving high school and changing his birth date to join the Navy two months short of the legal age. He proudly served in the Pacific and off the coast of Italy and France. A popular postman, walking his seven mile route daily, he was showered with cookies, brownies, cakes and pies by the people on his route who looked forward to his daily arrival. Donald retired from the Post Office, at 60 years old, and spent the next several years fulfilling his personal wish list of traveling with his wife to see every National Park in the U.S. and spending winters on the warm Texas/Mexican border. He loved to be out in nature-fishing, hunting and camping and is fondly remembered by all his family for early morning oatmeal made over the campfire and for the fun of sleeping in his cozy tent camper. A resident of the Baldwinville Nursing home for the past four years, he always had a smile and a light-hearted comment for all who cared for him. Donald is survived by his daughter; Elaine Turrentine and her husband Steven of Andover and Nantucket, MA. Son; Dennis Shea and his wife Eunice of Mansfield, TX. grandson; Timothy and his wife Melissa of Wilmington, MA; granddaughters, Tiffany Shea of Nashville, TN and Kelly LeBlanc of Sherman, TX; great-grandchildren, Eva Boudreau of Wilmington, Lillian Good of Nashville, and Lindsey, Micah, Abby, and Jonah LeBlanc of Sherman; and good friend, Jean Ryder of Athol. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Patricia and his sister Jayne in 2005, by his sister Doris in 2016, and by his great-grandson Corban Shea in 2000. He will be sadly missed by all. Calling Hours will be held Monday, November 6, 2017 from 10-11:30 AM in the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Rd. Orange. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, November 6, 2017 at 12 PM at Our Lady Immaculate Church 192 School St. Athol. Burial will be held at a later date. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to BSNRC Residents Activity Fund 51 Hospital Rd. Templeton, MA 01436 Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Rd. Orange, MA is assisting with arrangements