John Shields

SOUTHBRIDGE:  John F. “Jack” Shields, 80, of Hobby Horse Hill Farm, Lebanon Hill Rd., died Friday Feb. 12, at Radius Healthcare.  He leaves his wife of 55 years, Beatrice (Moody) Shields, two daughters Nancy L. Shields and Kathleen E. Shields both of Southbridge; three sisters Maryanna Moody of Southington, CT, Joan Tracy of Providence, RI, Nancy Bloor of West Warwick, RI and nieces and nephews.

He was born in Providence, RI, the son of Frank J. and Anna (Flynn) Shields and lived in the area for forty years. He served in the Army Infantry during the Korean Conflict.  He attended U.R.I.  He was a professional engineer, and owned and operated Frank J. Shields Inc., a heavy construction company, for over fifty years.

He was a member of Notre Dame Parish where he was a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and served on its building committee.  He was also a member of the Southbridge American Legion and the Tri Community Chamber of Commerce.  He was a Boy Scout leader and a Massasoit District Commissioner.  He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and kept horses his entire life.  He held a private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying planes. 

A funeral Mass will be held at Noon, February 16, in Notre Dame Church, 446 Main St., Southbridge.  Burial will follow in New Notre Dame Cemetery, Woodstock Rd., Southbridge.  Calling hours will be held from 6:00 – 9:00pm, Monday, February 15, in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy St., Southbridge.  An online guestbook is available at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com