Patrick J. O'Shea

Patrick J. O’Shea of Wilbraham died at home on May 12th with his wife and children at his side. He was born in Springfield, IL on September 11, 1932 to the late Harold W. and Jane (Trihey) O’Shea. Patrick married Mary Ann Kaufman on November 24, 1956 in Springfield, IL. He resided in Wilbraham for 48 years. Mr. O’Shea graduated from Cathedral High School and Springfield Junior College in Springfield, IL. Studying in a pre-law program, he received a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University in 1954. After college, he attended seminary for the Catholic priesthood for 1 ½ years, including six months at the North American College in Vatican City, Europe. Upon leaving the seminary, Patrick was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the Judge Advocate Section at 8th Army Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, attaining the rank of Specialist 2nd Class. Pat was employed in Mortgage and Real Estate Investments at Franklin Life Insurance Company in Springfield, IL and at Midwestern United Life Insurance Company in Ft. Wayne, IN. He retired from Mass. Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1988 as Vice President/Managing Director & Executive Officer in their Real Estate Investment Division. Along with his friend, Bruce W. Fraser, he later became co-owner of Fraser, O’Shea & Associates, Inc., a commercial real estate appraisal and inspections company located in Hampden, MA. His former professional memberships included the Urban Land Institute; Mortgage Bankers Association; Life Mortgage & Real Estate Officers Council; and he was a lifetime member of the Fellow of Life Management Institute. He was previously affiliated with The Gray House as board member, Vice President, and Treasurer; Sisters of Providence Alternative Investment Committee as Chairperson; Justice & Peace Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, MA as member and temporary Chairperson; and Pax Christi USA as co-founder of the Springfield, MA chapter. He was a previous member of Call to Action, a reform movement within the Catholic Church, and had been active within the Marriage Encounter movement. Pat assisted his wife, Mary Ann, in bringing Koinonia (a weekend spiritual retreat) to Western MA. He also assisted in bringing retreats on Christian Nonviolence to the Springfield, MA area. Pat was a sports enthusiast with a special affection for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He enjoyed gardening, genealogy research, reading, and writing and, until his later years, played golf. In his youth, he was an accomplished baseball player. He played four years on the varsity baseball team of Cathedral High School; was named All-City Shortstop in Springfield, IL for three years; and was named 2nd Team All-State Shortstop for Illinois in his senior year. Pat declined an opportunity to play professional baseball in order to attend college, where he continued playing at the collegiate level and in summer leagues. Patrick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann, of Wilbraham; five children: Erin (Benjamin) Rybicki of Sterling Heights, MI; Kelly (Ronald) LaPointe of Warren, MA; Brian (Lynn Duffy) O’Shea of Warren, MA; Kevin (Rebecca) O’Shea of Atkinson, NH; and Peggy (Susan Unger) O’Shea of Troy, NY; 18 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; his three brothers, all of Springfield, IL: David (Judy) Reverend James; and Paul (Lynne); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his infant son, John Michael, and grandson, Scott LaPointe. Patrick became a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield in December 2004. Before succumbing to complications of Alzheimer’s, he maintained a positive attitude and sense of humor. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 11AM at Adams Cemetery, 1098 Tinkham Road, Wilbraham, MA. Donations may be made to the social services organization of the donor’s choice. New England Funeral & Cremation center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visit www.nefcc.net

Patrick J. O'Shea

September 11, 1932 - May 12, 2020