On October 13, 2024, Patrick William Shea officially joined the angels—though many of us felt he had been one all along. Pat battled countless health issues over his too-short 69 years with more dignity and quiet grace than anyone could imagine.
Pat Shea was special from the day he came into the world on March 17, 1955; being an Irishman born on St. Patrick’s Day was a source of great pride for him. He was a long-term resident of Holliston, MA, and his love of baseball was, no doubt, born of the backyard pick-up and Little League games he first played there. Pat graduated from Holliston High School and Boston College and went on to become a Certified Public Accountant.
Pat was loved by all who knew him but no more than his wife, Maureen, and daughter, Caitlin. Pat and Maureen met in the eighth grade and went to their high school prom together. They were as different as two people could be, but they were the ultimate “through thick-and-thin” couple. They married in 1977, and their family was completed when Caitlin was born. They lived in many places, including Holliston, Boston, Chatham, Harwich and Charleston, SC. Pat was proud of many things, but his greatest source of joy was his daughter. He also had a great and faithful companion in his dog, Zorro.
After settling in Holliston, Pat went on to establish a widely respected CPA firm. After 20 years, he was recruited to become the COO of not just one but two large, well-known family offices. Pat had a multitude of professional accomplishments, yet despite that success, he never changed. He stayed true to his authentic self until his last day.
Material things never mattered to Pat. He loved a nice car and a dapper hat–but other than that, a fully stocked fridge while surrounded by friends and family were all he needed to make him happy.
Pat leaves many relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father and mother, Joseph and Theresa Shea, his brother, Joe Shea and sister, Theresa Shea, his father and mother-in-law, Robert and Doris McGrath, his brothers-in-law, Timothy Chapin and Larry Keenan, as well as his grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be missed by so many, including his brother, Timothy Shea, and sister, Kathleen Chapin, his uncle and aunt, Paul and Lois Shea, and his beloved cousin, Peter Shea. Pat considered Maureen’s family as his own—his brother-in-law, Robert McGrath, his sister-in-law, Cheryl Keenan, and his brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Cindy Andrien. Pat was an admired uncle and great uncle to many nieces and nephews…too many to mention by name. He also leaves behind many close cousins, with whom he shared cherished memories.
Pat had scores of good friends and colleagues, but it would be remiss not to specifically mention his lifelong friend, Tom Harwood.
It was once said of Pat, “if it is within his power to help, he will, and gladly.” You would be hard pressed to meet anyone in Pat’s life who he did not help in some way. Pat had an uncanny ability to be a “bridge over troubled waters.” When a situation was at an impasse, he somehow found a way to settle the issue, find the right words and solve the problem. Pat used what someone once called his “applied intelligence” to give everyone in the room a “win-win.”
Though there are many people described as bright lights in the world, Pat Shea was among the brightest. If you were lucky enough to be part of his orbit, you were certainly blessed.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 24th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church of Holliston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be to made to the MGH Fund (Massachusetts General Hospital) on their website.