Obituaries

Leo G. Shea

Died August 31, 2015

LELAND, MI – Leo Gerald “Jerry” Shea, 86, of Leland, MI passed away Monday, August 31, 2015 at Effie’s Assisted Living with family at his side.

Jerry was born on January 17, 1929 in Chicago, the son of Leo and Genevieve (Higgins) Shea.  He was reared in Oak Park, IL and graduated from Oak Park High School. With a French horn scholarship, he spent three summers at Culver Military Academy in the band program.  He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 1951.  That same year he joined the United States Marine Corps and served with the First Marine Division in Korea 1952-1953, and was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Captain.  In 1959 he received his MBA from the University of Chicago.  On May 23, 1959 in Cedar Rapids, IA, he married Patricia Kathryn Dunshee.

Jerry’s dedication to his profession was only matched by his love for the outdoors and his interest in everything.  In 1956 on an AIA tour of South America he met his soon to be lifelong friend Louis G. Redstone, whose architectural practice in Detroit he would join in 1961.  Jerry worked with Louis for 25 years, eventually leading the firm as President.  He would attain the distinction of Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 1978.  He was honored with the Gold Medal and the Charles Blessing Award from AIA Detroit and the Gold Medal from AIA Michigan. He was Chairman of the AIA National Documents Board committee responsible for the 1997 edition of AIA Document A201 – The General Conditions of the Contract for Construction. 

While becoming a leader in architecture in Detroit, Jerry would make the most of his non-working time.  From 1970 to 1987 he was an instructor with Blizzard Ski School where his children also learned to ski.  He was an avid sailor, played golf, squash and tennis, and was a Past President of the Leland Country Club, and member of Leland Yacht Club and Birmingham Athletic Club.  He was a supporter and volunteer at the Cranbrook Institute of Science where he learned about beekeeping and later became a beekeeper, harvesting his own honey. 

Throughout his life he was an avid reader and supporter of the arts.  He was a Past President of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Association, and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.  In 1999, and after summering there for forty years, he retired with his wife Patty to Leland, MI where he continued to support the community serving on the Leland Township Planning Commission, the board of the City Opera House in Traverse City and Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. 

In addition to his loving wife Patty of 56 years, Jerry is survived by his sister Genevieve Shea Healy (Donald), his sons, Kevin (Kimberly) and Michael; daughters, Kathryn Adams (Gregory), Loretta Borgo (Robert) and Kerry Satterwhite (Ross); and grandchildren Genevieve Charlton (Scott), Donald, Audrey, Neal, Connor, Claire, Colin and Griffin.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Shea; and a sister, Jacquelyn Shea Fish.

Private graveside services at Beechwood Cemetery in Leland have been held.  A celebration of his life for family and friends will be held on October 17, 2015 from 11am to 1pm at the Leland Country Club.

Memorials may be directed to Leland Township Library, P.O. Box 736, Leland, MI 49654 and/or to a charity of one’s choice.

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