ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: SHEA, HAROLD J., JR. Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died: Thursday, July 7, 2016 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= SHEA, HAROLD J., JR. June 19, 1930 - July 7, 2016 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2016/st1607.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Harold J. Shea, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Mandeville, LA on the morning of July 7, 2016 surrounded by family. “Big Hal”, as he was lovingly called, is survived by his adoring, beautiful wife of 64 years, Joyce Mae Cuadrado Shea. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold J. Shea, Sr. and Mildred Dudenhefer Shea, his sister, Iris Shea Knight, his niece, Claudia Dudenhefer, and his first son, Harold J. Shea, III. He leaves behind his four other children: Timothy O’Patrick Shea and his wife, Holley, Ita Shea Oglesby and her husband, Gayle, Patrick Shawn Shea and Theresa Dowdy, and Kelly Shea Grunditz and her husband, Tommy. He also leaves his seven grandchildren: Meghan Rose Shea and Casey Taylor, Emily Robin and her husband, Chris, Kylen Shea, Kathleen Flynn and her husband, Evan, Tim Shea and his wife, Jessica, Jonas Grunditz and his wife, Erin, Anders Grunditz and Lindsey Barron, as well as his four great-grandchildren, Logan and Charlotte Robin, Aiden Flynn and Jack Flynn. In addition, he also leaves behind his niece Michelle Dudenhefer Benoit, Joel Dudenhefer, Kylen Knight Lindsley, and Michael Knight. “Big Hal” was born on June 19, 1930 in the Upper 9th Ward of New Orleans, LA and attended Nicholls High School where he met his future wife, Joyce Cuadrado. He attended Tulane University on football and basketball scholarships, graduating and marrying his love, Joyce, in 1953. After teaching school for a year at Holy Name of Mary Catholic School, he joined the United States Air Force, and as a First Lieutenant, was the Aide-de-Camp to Brigadier General Monroe McClauskey. From 1954 – 1958, Hal was trained in aircraft control and as an operation analysis officer. During this time, he was one of the first coaches at the United States Air Force Academy, where he also served as a recruiter. After the Air Force, he resettled in the city in which he was raised, his beloved New Orleans. For the next 10 years, Hal worked for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co. and was honored with numerous achievement awards. He was a life time member of the Million Dollar Round Table and Board Member of the Life Underwriters Association, as well as chairman of the ethics committee. In 1968, Hal left Mutual Benefit Life to join Financial Service Corporation. In 1971, he opened his own successful business, Financial Services, Inc. and moved his family to Mandeville, making it his home for the next 45 years. Hal retired in 2006 to devote more time to his family. His hobbies were his family, friends, and eating any New Orleans traditional dish. He loved all sports, but in Mandeville he took up golf and enjoyed spending time on the links. In particular, he enjoyed engaging with his friends and his children’s friends in conversations ranging from joke telling, and politics to football. He has maintained friendships from his grade school days until the end. Hal and Joyce were actively involved in any activity regarding their children or grandchildren. Whether it was a ballgame or watching and participating in a play, they were there. “Big Hal” was engaged in PTA, Booster Club, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, Jr., Chamber of Commerce New Orleans, and the board of the Mandeville Chamber for which he was Treasurer for 10 years. He was president of the PTA and a board member of the Booster’s Athletic Club at Mandeville High. He was Deputy Grand Knight of Council 9240 of the Knights of Columbus in 1992. Not busy enough, he was always community oriented and got involved with the City of Mandeville serving as Alderman from 1976 – 1980. Years later he was actively involved as the chairman of the 1990 Mandeville Sesquicentennial. His endearing, charming big personality that his family and friends know so well will be dearly missed. We have had more laughs in our family than any one family deserves thanks to “Big Hal”. 1 John 5:10, “Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.” It is a sad time to say goodbye from our family but we know he is going to a better place. Like the song our family knows so well, “Now is the hour, when we must say goodbye…” Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433 on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be from 12:00 Noon until service time. Burial will be at the Mandeville Cemetery. The family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to the Notre Dame Hospice nurses and aides for their kindness and care. Also sincere thanks to Wayne and Deanna Bruno, John and Lola Burga, John and Ann Alan, and Dr. Frank Minyard for their kindness and support to Hal and Joyce. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Notre Dame Hospice of New Orleans, www.notredamehospice-no.org/donate, (855) 756-6558, or the American Heart Association, US Air Force ===================