John C. Shea

John “Jack” Crowley Shea of West Chester, PA passed away on October 1, 2022, at the age of 86.  He was born in Bradford, PA to Bernard and Edna.  Jack attended Allegheny College, where he made lifelong friends.  After earning his master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania, he served as a foreign diplomat in Montevideo, Uruguay under President Eisenhower and President Kennedy.  Upon returning from his tenure in the Foreign Service, Jack earned his doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.  He was a professor of political science at West Chester University for 36 years where he held many positions, his most cherished of which were that of teacher and mentor.  During his tenure at WCU, he was perhaps best known for integrating his bizarre sense of humor into lesson plans and other writings shared with his colleagues.  A prolific writer, Jack authored several textbooks, he also wrote many autobiographical pieces and fictional publications.  Actively involved in politics throughout his life, he was a steadfast Democrat who enjoyed both political speech writing and commentating.  Jack is predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Mary Louise Shea, who passed away in 2010, and his brothers Tom and Bernard.  He is survived by his five children (Beth, John, Tom, Matt, and Anne) and eight grandchildren (Caroline Hitesman, Sarah Shea, Hannah Shea, Abigail Shea, Ellen Shea, Jacqueline Shea, Kaelyn Gaza, and Zachary Gaza). A loyal Phillies fan, Jack generously forgave Mitch Williams on October 30, 2008.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Saturday, October 15, 2022 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, followed by his Memorial Service at 12:00 PM. Interment is private.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either St. Agnes Day Room c/o St. Agnes Parish, 233 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA 19380 or the “John C. and Mary Louise Shea Endowment for International Relations” administered by The West Chester University Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester, PA 19382.