Thomas Shea
June 25, 1956 ~ June 25, 2020
Thomas Joseph Shea, 64, of Cedar Rapids, died on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at his home following a short illness. Private family burial will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services is caring for Tom and his family.
Survivors include his son T.J. Shea; brother, Danny Shea; aunts, Alice Shea and Teresa Vogl; special friend, Caroline; former spouse, Cindy Reed; and many cousins.
Tom was born June 25, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Leonard and Helen (Shields) Shea. He graduated from Regis High School in 1974, and began his career as an electrician. As a journeyman wireman, he was passionate about his profession. Tom spent over 10 years as a city electrical inspector for the City of Cedar Rapids, was the business agent for IBEW 405, and worked for several local companies, including Nemecek Electric. He worked on projects all over the country and was proud of the work he did.
He married Cindy Reed in 1986 and later divorced. Tom was proud of his Irish heritage and being a part of the founding families at All Saints Catholic Church.
Tom's favorite place to be was at his cabin nestled along the Cedar River near Palisades. He loved being outside especially on the water in a canoe. He led a simple life full of appreciation for local history and passion for volunteering. Tom donated his time and talent with Indian Creek Nature Center and Habitat for Humanity.
He was preceded in death by his parents and cousin, Edward Shea.
Memorials are suggested to the Cedar Valley Humane Society, 7411 Mount Vernon Road SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, or the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Society, PO Box 2771, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406.
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Our lives are understood by those we help. Tom chose to help worthy causes – Indian Creek Nature Center and Habitat for Humanity. This has literally changed thousands of peoples lives and demonstrates his love for the community. Wise and caring sharing of his time with a large impact.
I will remember Tom (Shayzo) as a very giving person. My biggest memory was working along side him and Don Fandel at All Saints School as they volunteered many hours during a summer in rewiring the school. My wife and I have always wondered if all our gifts have been found. RIP, my friend. Dave and Cindy (Sister Cindy) Glynn
You will be missed my friend. I just talked to you after Memorial Day when you called to tell me you had gone to the cemetery to talk to Donnie and had a beer with him. Give Donnie a big hug for me.
RIP Irish. It was a pleasure working with you through the years..
I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. I worked with him at the City Building Department and he always had a kind word and helpful advice for all. He will be missed.
I am so very sorry to hear of Tom‘s passing today. Tom was the first local 405 electrician I hired after starting my business and working out the house in 1981. He was friendly, likable, very talented, and a very diverse young man As you can tell by his many jobs, positions, accomplishments and his well lived life he did make a difference. One thing he made very clear to me from the beginning, is that he always took off St. Patrick’s Day! I suspect after he went to church in the morning, he probably had a couple beers those days. !! GOOD JOB SHEAZO! Rest In Peace my friend JERRYTICHY
I knew Tom from several different avenues, through working with Cindy at St. Luke’s many years ago, through work done rewiring All Saints Church, and through his high school friendship with my older brother, Dan. He even helped rewire the first house my family lived in way back in 1989! He always called me, Danny’s little sister. Recently in May, Tom left me a note at Olivet Neighborhood Mission where I work as the Director. Olivet Mission is just down the street from where Tom bought a house on the NW side. He said he wanted to know if he could help fix a couple of things at Olivet Mission that he saw needed fixed. So he fixed the night light in our Community Gardens, called in a favor from a friend at Alliant Energy to fix the street light at the corner of B Ave & 10th Street NW, fixed the electrical box on the outside of the building, and figured out some issues with the carbon monoxide detectors on the Head Start side of our building. So Tom, was always helping others. We had some really great conversations in the past couple of weeks, reminiscing about high school, each of our less than lucky in love stories, and just about raising kids. I adored his sense of humor and his honesty above all else. I will miss you, Tom. Julie Palmer, aka Danny’s little sister
TJ & family, My heart felt sympathies in your time of loss. I am sure he has found a Miller Lite for one hand and a Pepsi for the other. Looking on all of us with his smile and laugh….. Sheazo, Your time on this earth was not as long as any would have liked. But the memories you gave us will last forever. Thank you for what you gave us.. You were always willing to share your time, talents and treasures with us all… I fondly remember many nights spent with you, Donnie, Dave, Dick & Denny working on the many upgrades at All Saints. Me, just the minion learning from the “Masters.” The mysteries of the mazes that were uncovered and the stories that will be shared from what was left behind. I doubt I will ever be able to own a house with just one measly 40 circuit panel. Where 14 gauge would do, I will hear your voice telling me to use 12. How dare I not have every outlet in my kitchen and garage on their own dedicated circuits. I can not buy just any red wire nuts… I can not buy cheap crappy electrical tape. Years of working with you, won’t let me do it. You had a passion for your trade and it showed in all your work. You took pride in your craft, you did not cut corners. While your road was not always easy & rosy, but you could always be counted on for a smile and your laugh. Family and friends were your world. To you Tom “Sheazo”, I hold a Miller Lite up in toast. I will miss you….Peace my Friend! Jay Nelson
Tom was one of the best neighbors we ever had, We have a lot of good memories living by him on Ellis Blvd. We would throw frisbee on the empty lot across the street, had many back yard fires, always with hot dogs on a stick near by, open fires were illegal back then unless you were cooking something, Tom knew all the particulars. We especially enjoyed canoe trips and camping on the Volga River. He was a kind generous man and our kids adored him, he always had time to for them. He was a man of great faith and a good role model, a talented hard worker. He was a great friend and will be missed by many who’s lives he touched. “Rest in peace and God Bless You Sheazo” Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and his many friends, God Bless you and keep you as well. Gordy and Val Speltz
We are so saddened to hear of Tom passing. There were many memories with Tom, the time a bunch of us went to Canada on a fishing journey, the backyard bbq/poolside get togethers, boating, when he threw the ski rope out to me and smacked me in the forehead. We all got a good laugh on that one. To recall just a few. Those and others will always remember Tom… RIP My Friend!! Rhonda & Mike Strehl