James Raymond Shea

Born April 27, 1938 in New York City, New York to John Patrick Shea and Evelyn VanGorder Shea.

After spending his early years in Elmira and New York City, he joined the United States Marines Corps where his honorable service as a Marine was always a source of great pride and satisfaction. While stationed in Okinawa, he met and married his first wife, Emiko Naka with whom he had his only child, Michael. After 25 years, he and Emiko divorced. On November 24th, 1990, he married his current beloved wife and angel, Dorothea (Dottie) Lievertz.

After concluding his military service, he worked briefly for the U.S. Postal Service and then embarked on a lengthy career with VB Anderson Co., now Praxair, where he was operations manager for all 14 locations. He later joined Ted Johnson Propane Co., where he remained until his retirement; he then worked part-time at Pack Wrap and Post Office in Canyon Lake, also, he and Dottie started Canyon Lake Shutters.

Anyone who knew him quickly learned his passion for food, cooking and feeding his many friends and neighbors. He operated a part time catering business during his time at VB Anderson and continued to cook and cater well into his retirement. In addition to cooking, he enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, sports and many enjoyed his St. Patrick’s Day parties and Oktoberfest with whole roasted pigs. He was a member of the Canyon Lake Lions Club and the American Legion Post 132 of Orange, California.

He loved to joke and tease and brought laughter to any occasion. But the most important things in his life were his devoted wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Dottie; son Michael and daughter-n-law Valerie Shea, of Portland, OR and grandchildren Christopher, Daniel, Michael, Emily and Sarah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Philip and step-daughter Kimberly Bergstrom. His twin brother Robert has been whereabouts unknown since the 1960’s while in the service. He and Dottie lived in Canyon Lake for 14 years before moving to Sun City two years ago.

There will be a memorial service in celebration of Jim’s life on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11:00am at Miller-Jones Mortuary 26770 Murrieta Rd., Sun City, Ca 92586.