March 31, 2011
Ottawa, ON
Shea John Thomas "Jack" M. A. in Sociology Thursday, March 31, 2011. John Thomas Shea age 88. Beloved husband of the late Jean M. James (nee McLeod) and former spouse of Francine Devroede. Loving father of Maureen (Stephen Yoshen) and David (Holly Bruns). Proud grandfather of Henry Yoshea. Son of the late Ellen Crowley and Michael Shea. Dear brother of Mary (the late Richard Waide), Margaret (the late Charles Cerre) and predeceased by Hon. William J. Shea (the late Irene). Fondly remembered by his extended family and by his many friends. John had a rich life with many roles, including: a parish priest of the Sault-Ste-Marie Diocese, co-director of the Social Action office of the Canadian Catholic Bishops, consultant for the Canadian Bishops at Vatican II, and working in policy roles at Oxfam and CIDA, and a founding member of CORPUS. Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street, (at O'Connor) Monday, April 4 from 7-9 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 151 Laurier Avenue, Tuesday, April 5 at 12 noon. In Memoriam donations to the Canadian Cancer Society appreciated.
A tribute and a homily for the late Jack Shea
By Anthony Padovano
A TRIBUTE TO A FRIEND
As a young priest, Jack Shea became a prophet for social justice in the Canadian Church and a peritus or expert at Vatican II. He influenced the development of one of the central documents of that Council, the Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes). Later, as a married priest, he made substantial contributions as a leader in the Canadian and international Catholic reform movements.
On a personal level, Jack achieved universal admiration, respect and love. He was quiet, gentle and strong, the kind of person one looked for and wanted to be with during meetings.