Francis E. Shea Jr., age 89 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 6th, 2018.

He was born in 1929 in Blackstone, Massachusetts. Frank attended Blackstone High School and after graduation joined the army spending most of his deployment working at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC. Frank married Jacqueline Lizotte in 1955 moving to Delaware where they made their home. Frank “Pepe” Shea was an employee of United Engineers where he worked for many years.

Frank always possessed a desire and zest for life. He could be seen regularly gardening in his yard and his love for sports memorabilia was well chronicled by his friends and colleagues. Over the years, Frank collected a plethora of baseball cards, autographed photos, and other sports collectibles. In addition, Frank never failed to meet weekly with the “Romeo Club;” a group of coaches and officials whom he befriended over the years.

Frank is probably best known for his impact and contribution to Delaware High School sports. He officiated football, basketball, and baseball for more than a half century. In the late 1940’s, Frank began his officiating career in Blackstone, Massachusetts. Fifty years later, he would be honored as the first recipient of the “Frank Shea Gold Whistle Award” – presented to Frank for over five decades of service with the Northern Delaware Football Officials Association. Frank officiated on the field for over 25 years and continued to serve the organization as a teacher, mentor, and leader for the next 30 years. Known as “Dr. Clock,” Frank imparted his wisdom and expertise to generations of officials. In 2002, Frank was honored as the National Distinguished Official of the Year Award, the first ever awarded to a Delaware Official. Frank was a charter member of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association State Football Committee (formerly DSSAA) for 36 years; a cross section of school administrators, officials, and athletic directors directly responsible for management and oversight for the State Football Tournament. And his most notable achievement, Frank was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Following his retirement from the NDFOA, he continued his service by volunteering at the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame providing guided tours to the many who visited the museum.

Frank was husband of the late Jacqueline for 31 years who died in 1986. Frank is also preceded in death by is brother, Raymond. He is survived by his daughter, Colleen Craighton and her husband, Dennis; daughter, Mary-Beth (Fran); son, Michael Shea and his husband, Edward McClellan; grandchildren, Meghan, Zachary, Hannah, Brendan, Paige, Matthew, Shannon, Megan and Sean; and great-grandchildren, Meilah & Nicole; as well as his brothers, Robert and Charles of Blackstone, Massachusetts.

A viewing for Frank will be held on Sunday, November 11th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church 809 South Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19805. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Monday, November 12th at 11:00am. Interment to follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Hwy. New Castle, Delaware 19702.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19802 (www.desports.org) or St. Elizabeth School, 809 South Broom Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19805.

To plant a tree in memory of Francis Edward Shea Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.