Terence “Terry” John Shea, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026 at Akron General Hospital surrounded by family. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and love of family and friends, and service to others. He was born on April 7, 1938 to Donald & Beatrice Shea in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm, the oldest of three siblings. Terry served active duty in the Army, and the Army National Guard for ten years.
Terry met Judy, his loving wife and lifelong partner of 69 years in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and together they built a life of love, laughter, and adventure welcoming six children: daughter Pam (Glenn) Fath from Dalton, OH, sons Mike (Lynn) Shea of Champlin, MN, Mark (Cathy) Shea of Wyoming, MN, daughters Julie (Bruce) Emerson of Maple Lake, MN, Ellen (Jim) Monty of Overland Park, KS.
With Judy at his side, he pursued a career in the paper industry which lasted 42 years, including 27 years at International Paper Company and 15 years at Buckeye Container in Wooster, serving a number of those years as the President until his retirement in 2002.
During his tenure in the paper industry, Terry enjoyed volunteering and helping others through various organizations. He was a proud and long-time member of the Knights of Columbus earning 4th Degree status, the Elks Club, and Kiwanis. He was also dedicated to community service in the Wooster area, serving on the Board of Trustees of Goodwill Industries and as Chairman for the Wayne County Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). He was an active volunteer at the Viola Startzman Clinic – always available to lend a hand.
After retirement, Terry and Judy enjoyed traveling, playing golf, fishing and visiting family. Terry took great joy in spending time with his seven grandchildren: Emily (Chris) Stoks, Andrew (Tianna) Emerson, Garrison Shea, Cate Shea, Alex Shea, Sophia Monty, and Jaden Clay and his four great grandchildren: Rylie Stoks, Penny Stoks, Marie Emerson, and Morgan Emerson.
Terry was a lifelong and devout Catholic, and his faith shaped his dedication to family and service of others. Terry and Judy are long time parishioners at St. Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception in Wooster.
Terry is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter Pam (Glenn) Fath from Dalton, OH; sons Mike (Lynn) Shea of Champlin, MN, Mark (Cathy) Shea of Wyoming, MN; daughters Julie (Bruce) Emerson of Maple Lake, MN, Ellen (Jim) Monty of Overland Park, KS; sisters, Maureen (Stan) Sippel of Carmel, IN and Mary (Dean) Sylla of Green Bay, WI. He also leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, brothers in law, as well as several nieces and nephews. Terry is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Beatrice, and his daughter, Lisa Shea.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Akron General Hospital NSICU, as well as all the medical staff that have cared for Terry, especially Dr. Victor Velasquez of the Cleveland Clinic and Wooster Heart Group.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster with Rev. Stephen Moran as celebrant. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. To view the Mass online please visit https://www.stmarywooster.org/live-stream-mass. The video will go live ten minutes prior to Mass.
Friends will be received on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, PO Box 109, Wooster, Ohio 44691 or an organization of your choice in memory of Terry Shea.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Our deepest sympathy to Judy and Terrys beautiful family. What a wonderful kind man who made everyone feel like a special friend ! May he RIP 🙏💙🙏
Our hearts are so sad to hear of the passing of this beautiful soul . We always reached out in love . His smiled radiated . Judy and family you are in our thoughts and prayers
Dear Judi -my very deep condolences in the passing of Terry. He was always such fun to be around. I know he’ll be missed. Thinking of you and your family with love.
We are all so sad to hear of Terry’s passing. He was such an amazing, fun loving, hard working man. We were lucky enough to get to know him when Ellen married my brother and enjoyed many fun times together during their visits to Kansas. To say he was a family man is a true understatement! Sending all the love and comfort to Judy and the rest of the family. We’ve lost a good one. You will be terribly missed, Terry.
Our sincere condolences to you, Judy, as well as Pam & Glenn, and the rest of the Shea Family. Through the tears, celebrate Terry’s well-lived life.
Judy and family, we are sorry for your loss. We feel privileged to have known Terry and the family. We will miss seeing him at church and the Elks. Our prayers go out to all of you
Terry was such a beautiful person. Always smiling! He really showed his love for family.
Our deepest sympathies to all of you.
Rest in peace.
Ann & Gary Reff
I was so very sad to hear of Terry’s passing. He was such a wonderful gentleman, kind and compassionate. Arnie appreciated him as his boss at Buckeye Container and his friendship after retirement. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Judy and your wonderful family. I feel so blessed to have known Terry. May he rest in peace
Judy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I don’t know if Terry ever knew it, but he was instrumental in helping me become the man I have both in my career and with my family. He was a beautiful person. Deepest sympathies.
Mike Schaefer
We are very sorry for your loss. Terry was always so bright and kind. We are blessed to have known him.
Our deepest sympathies
Mike and Oat
Judy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Terry was a true gentleman and I loved him as a boss and a friend. Rest in peace Terry.
Judy and the entire family, our deepest sympathies are with you all. To the Basfords, Terry and Judy were more than friends, you were family. We will miss Terry, his positive attitude and endless kindness. Terry and Jim can enjoy their rob roys together again.
My heart goes out to Judy and the Shea family. Terrys kindness and personality will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in peace.
I had the privilege of meeting the Shea family when my dad was transferred from Minnesota to Ohio with International Paper. Just a few months later, their family was transferred from Ohio to Minnesota, so our time overlapped only briefly, but it left a lasting impression.
I was in the same grade as Ellen at St. Mary’s, and although we were only classmates for a short time, her family was often gracious hosts to her circle of friends. Their warmth was unmistakable and deeply comforting, especially as I was adjusting to life away from my extended family and home state.
In more recent years, my husband and I would often see Judy and Terry at Mass, where we would catch up on family and life. It was always a joy to see them. I was truly heartbroken when I heard of his passing at Mass last weekend.
Terry’s servant hearted spirit was so evident, especially in the quiet, loving way he would, cane in hand, walk out ahead to bring the car around for Judy. Every time. Most recently, on Easter Sunday.
His kindness was genuine and contagious, and it left a mark on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
My heartfelt condolences to Judy, to Ellen, and to all who love him. May you find comfort in the many beautiful memories you shared and in the legacy of kindness he leaves behind.
Terry was such a sweet and wonderful man. His smile and legacy will be missed!
Out thoughts and Prayers go out to the entire Shea Family. Terry was so kind and friendly. He would always stop to say Hello and ask how everything was going. He will be missed.
I met Terry and Judy in 2000 through the Basfords. Terry was always a kind, gentle man who loved his family and friends emmencly! Terry always gave the best advice and had a great sense of humor!
Terry will be missed by everyone who knew him!
To Judy & the Shea family,
We were so very schocked to hear of Terry’s passing. Our family got to know you & Terry from our mutual friends, the Basfords. I am praying for God to send you comfort & peace at this time. May he continue to hold you in the palm of his hand while you navigate this new normal. Sending lots of love and hugs to you.
Mark , Candy & Demry
With heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Geri & family
Thank you, Lord for sharing Terry, a kind and gentleman, with us. Prayers tofor peace, courage, and hope for his family and friends.
We are so deeply saddened to hear about Terry’s passing. He was such a wonderful neighbor. We could always count on his warm smile and friendly ‘Hello’ whenever we saw him. The neighborhood truly won’t feel the same without his presence. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Sending heartfelt sympathy to your family. I knew terry from knights of Columbus bingo where he volunteered. He was always so nice and friendly. He will be missed 😔