Mr David S. Shea
March 26, 1940 ~ April 19, 2022 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Tribute
Wolcott – David S. Shea, 82, passed away on Monday morning, April 19, with his family by his side. He was the husband of Katherine (Washburne) Shea for over 55 years.
Dave was born March 26, 1940 in Waterbury, son of the late Dr. Vincent T. and Helen (Scully) Shea. After graduating from Villanova, David enlisted in the Army Reserves and started working at Waterbury Medical Equipment Supply which was owned by his father Vincent T. Shea and his uncle Joseph W. Shea. His love of animals prompted him to form a partnership with Robert Commerford and soon Commerford & Shea was a prominent name in the animal entertainment industry. Their elephants were part of the Timex and Tonka truck commercials. One of Dave's favorite adventures was driving his team of ponies in the Macy's Day parade. After many years of being on the road traveling with the animals, he decided it was time to stay closer to home and bought Waterbury Medical in 1978 and stayed until his retirement 2015. The Elephant Barn Storage was a hobby that allowed him to buy and sell horse drawn vehicles through the years which is something he loved. Many of his friends would stop by the Elephant Barn to swap stories of the past. The Elephant Barn was his home away from home.
In addition to his wife Kathie, he is survived by his children, David A. Shea of MI, John V. Shea and his significant other, Diane Ignacio of Wolcott, James Patrick Shea and his significant other, Maria of Wolcott, Kara Elizabeth Burnison and her husband Caleb of GA and Lisa and Brendan T. Shea of FL; his siblings, Rosemary Petruzzi and her husband Len of Woodbury, Atty. Paul J. Shea and his wife Heidi of Middlebury, Dr. Richard J. Shea and his wife Sally of Watertown, Helen S. Chittum and her husband Jay of Woodbury and Tara S. Gryga and her husband Phil of Wolcott; his grandchildren, Justin Shea, Brianna Shea, Evelyn Burnison, Hannah Burnison, Leah Burnison, Melissa DiBella, and Bryson and Harison Shea; his aunt, Marguerite Shea of Middlebury; his brothers-in-law, Leon Powers of Middlebury and Leonard Genovese of FL and sister-in-law, Judy Shea of Woodbury and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Colleen Genovese, Sheila Powers and Dr. V. Timothy Shea.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Kandy Donato DeMayo at St. Francis Medical Supply for her generosity and support.
Calling hours are on Sunday, April 24, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Woodtick Memorial 420 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott. A prayer service will be held at 5:00 P.M. Burial in Edgewood Cemetery will be private.
Memorial contributions can be made in David’s name (on memo line) to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee 27 East Main St. Hohenwald, TN 38462 by visiting www.elephants.com
Dave was born March 26, 1940 in Waterbury, son of the late Dr. Vincent T. and Helen (Scully) Shea. After graduating from Villanova, David enlisted in the Army Reserves and started working at Waterbury Medical Equipment Supply which was owned by his father Vincent T. Shea and his uncle Joseph W. Shea. His love of animals prompted him to form a partnership with Robert Commerford and soon Commerford & Shea was a prominent name in the animal entertainment industry. Their elephants were part of the Timex and Tonka truck commercials. One of Dave's favorite adventures was driving his team of ponies in the Macy's Day parade. After many years of being on the road traveling with the animals, he decided it was time to stay closer to home and bought Waterbury Medical in 1978 and stayed until his retirement 2015. The Elephant Barn Storage was a hobby that allowed him to buy and sell horse drawn vehicles through the years which is something he loved. Many of his friends would stop by the Elephant Barn to swap stories of the past. The Elephant Barn was his home away from home.
In addition to his wife Kathie, he is survived by his children, David A. Shea of MI, John V. Shea and his significant other, Diane Ignacio of Wolcott, James Patrick Shea and his significant other, Maria of Wolcott, Kara Elizabeth Burnison and her husband Caleb of GA and Lisa and Brendan T. Shea of FL; his siblings, Rosemary Petruzzi and her husband Len of Woodbury, Atty. Paul J. Shea and his wife Heidi of Middlebury, Dr. Richard J. Shea and his wife Sally of Watertown, Helen S. Chittum and her husband Jay of Woodbury and Tara S. Gryga and her husband Phil of Wolcott; his grandchildren, Justin Shea, Brianna Shea, Evelyn Burnison, Hannah Burnison, Leah Burnison, Melissa DiBella, and Bryson and Harison Shea; his aunt, Marguerite Shea of Middlebury; his brothers-in-law, Leon Powers of Middlebury and Leonard Genovese of FL and sister-in-law, Judy Shea of Woodbury and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings, Colleen Genovese, Sheila Powers and Dr. V. Timothy Shea.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Kandy Donato DeMayo at St. Francis Medical Supply for her generosity and support.
Calling hours are on Sunday, April 24, from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Woodtick Memorial 420 Woodtick Rd. Wolcott. A prayer service will be held at 5:00 P.M. Burial in Edgewood Cemetery will be private.
Memorial contributions can be made in David’s name (on memo line) to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee 27 East Main St. Hohenwald, TN 38462 by visiting www.elephants.com
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