John Shea

John G. (Jerry) Shea, 89, of Denver, Colorado passed away on October 21, 2023. Jerry is survived by his wife Betsy, by his six children, Lisa, David (Jeanne), Linda, Brian (Diane), Katy, and John (April), seven grandchildren, Taylor (Aaron), Collin (Courtney), Hannah, Joe, Calum, Dan, and Kailey, two great grandchildren, McKenna and Cameron, and plentiful nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Sue and Nancy, and his brother Tom.

Jerry was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. His father died when he was 7 years old. In addition to his mother, his grandmother and 3 maiden aunts were important figures in his childhood. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in Springfield and then served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict, stationed at an auxiliary Naval Air Station in Kingsville, Texas. He began college using the GI Bill at Dayton University and followed his heart to Denver, married Mona Desmond, and completed his degree in Accounting at Regis College in 1959.

Jerry was employed by a CPA firm and then the Air Force Finance Center before beginning his career with the United States Treasury Department. He worked for 20 years as a Criminal Investigator, also known as a Special Agent, for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring in 1987. The remainder of his career, he consulted for tax attorneys, assisting in the defenses of tax payers.

In 1987, Jerry and Mona were divorced. Three years later he met Betsy Kuser and in June, 2001 they married in Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2008, their marriage was blessed by Catholic Church. Jerry had a large family. He was a devoted father and loving uncle, supporting his children in their every endeavor and always interested in the lives of his many nieces and nephews. He treated his friends much the same, inquiring about them and their individual family members and always by name. Jerry had an uncanny memory for names and personal stories.

In keeping with his love for family, he had an intense interest in his ancestry and researching his family tree. He spent hours in the Family Search Library in Salt Lake City, in public records in Terra Haute, Indiana and many resources here in Denver. His research took him all the way to Glenbeigh, County Kerry, Ireland, the birthplace of his great grandmother.

Jerry was a lover of sports, as a participant as well as a spectator. As a child, he played baseball and later softball and dreamed of playing for the Cincinnati Reds, but his true passion was basketball, which he played from his early married life until he was nearly 80 years old! For fifteen years, he, and his team, named "Over the Rim" played in the National Senior Games, each time in a different city around the country. He was also a distance runner, entering many local races for causes and ran more than a few Bolder Boulders. He was a big fan of all the Denver sports teams and each of his children, male and female, inherited his love of sports.

In retirement, traveling was often to visit family in Ohio, Florida, New York and Rhode Island. As a proud Irishman he made 3 separate trips to Ireland. Jerry and Betsy visited Hawaii many times, went on multiple cruises, most recently an Adriatic Sea cruise with several of his children, and annual timeshare weeks around Colorado and the United States. They spent many winters and/or springs in Tucson and Scottsdale Arizona, attending many Rockies' Spring Training camps.

Jerry maintained memberships in the Dayton and Regis Alumni Associations, the Association for Retired Special Agents and the National Association of Enrolled Agents. He was a consistent and generous donor to charities, aiding the disabled, children, health research and of course his church.

Jerry's Catholic faith was strong throughout his life and he was active in his church as his family grew. His faith embodied everything he did. He was a generous and forgiving husband, the "best father a kid could have", and a trusted friend. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. Jerry nourished long term friendships from childhood, the Navy, Dayton University, Regis College, the Internal Revenue Service and beyond. He simply loved people. And people loved him.

In 2019 Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Even in it's advanced stage, he was contented, often laughing or smiling and a joy to anyone around him. He never forgot a single name.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association or Christ on the Mountain Church.