Francis "Frank" G Shea Jr., 82, died Tuesday, January 24th at Tucson VA Medical Center. Frank was very proud of his military service and loved being part of the veteran community.

Frank was born in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1941. He was the son of the late Francis Shea and Marion (O'Brien) Shea of Marlborough, Massachusetts. He attended Natick High School and graduated in 1958.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Iowa and Montana and after his service enjoyed a long and successful career owning and operating an appliance repair business.

Frank was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous and had earned 43 years of sobriety at the time of his death. He was a sponsor to many and was profoundly dedicated to his AA family. His vulnerability in sharing his life experiences in the program positively impacted so many, and his legacy has been passed along through many others who have achieved sobriety.

A proud Democrat, Frank loved watching CNN and MSNBC. He loved chocolate, Rachel Maddow, hard candy, Spaghetti and Meatballs, genealogy, ice cream, tools, coffee, and socializing. He was funny and warm, rebellious and proud, and helpful and kind. He was prone to exaggeration when it came to other people's successes because he saw the best in everyone. He loved to fight for ‘the little guy’ and enjoyed disrupting the status quo.

Frank is described by his AA friends as supportive, spunky, and a genuinely good guy.

Frank is survived by his always loved children: Bill, Dan, Mike, Matt, Thomas, and Kathleen Shea, his daughters-in-law Chrissy Shea and Laura Shea, his son-in-law Mark Bernard, his cherished grandchildren Jeremy, Tori, Courtney, Matthew, Riley and Taylor, great-grandchildren Deacon, Michelle, Chelsea, Finley, Hunter, and Daisy, and his sister Arlene Thacker and her husband Robert, of Ashland, MA, with whom he was very close, and their children Robert III, Michael, and Annie. Frank was predeceased by his brother William C Shea of Nottingham, NH.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Frank’s preferred charities: Wounded Warrior Project or Disabled American Veterans. 

No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned as Frank graciously donated his body to medical research, but his family expects to hold a military burial service for him in the coming months. The family will notify loved ones when a service is scheduled.  

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/francis-shea/obituary/

Copy