Donald W. Shea

Donald W. (Donnie) Shea, age 79, of Meadville, passed away December 25, 2018 at Crawford County Care Center.  He was born February 23, 1939, on his Mother’s birthday in Meadville, PA to the late Stanley J. Shea and Helen (Wilson) Shea.  He married Nancy E. Cornell, the love of his life, October 12, 1973.  She survives. Donnie was a 1957 graduate of Meadville High School.  He served in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962, where he was an Airman A1C E-4.  He was a firefighter for the City of Meadville for 31 years.  After retiring, he went to work for Allegheny College as a security officer and fire inspector for 15 years.  Donnie was also the owner of Shea’s Transfer Moving Business for 15 years, a business his grandfather started in 1918.  Donnie was a member of Stone United Methodist Church.  He was a member of American Legion Post 205, Vernon Central Hose Company, Conneaut Lake VFD Station 3, VFW Post 2006, Crawford County Historical Society and Conneaut Lake Historical Society.  Donnie loved the game of golf and had his first and only hole-in-one July 7, 2009.  He enjoyed “Fill the Boot,” a collection done for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  In 2003, he helped Arthur Getchell establish the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department 39, which was in operation for 8 years and the city locked them out on Don’s birthday, February 23, 2011. Donnie is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 45 years; two daughters, Wendy Oliver and her husband, Kevin Sr. of Winston Salem, NC and Nelson, New Zealand and Lynn Vicarri and her husband, Phil of West Pittsburgh, PA; two grandsons, Kevin Oliver Jr. and his wife, Holly of Winston Salem, NC and Kyle Oliver and his wife, Amy of St. Louis, MO; one great-grandson, Elliott Oliver of St. Louis, MO; his brother-in-law, Leon Furdiga and his companion, Kay Scanlan of Brattleboro, VT; his aunt, Helen Boarts of Norman, OK; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Sherry Furdiga and his grandparents; Joseph and Blanche (Custead) Shea, Walter and Hester (Fritz) Wilson and Mildred (Wilcox) Wilson.  Friends and family are invited to call at the Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home on Friday, December 28 from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, December 29 from 10 until the procession leaves for Stone United Methodist Church for an 11 a.m. funeral service. Burial will take place immediately after the service in Greendale Cemetery with full military honors by VFW 2006. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to the Stone United Methodist Church, 956 South Main St., Meadville, PA 16335 or Hospice of Crawford County, 766 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335. Please sign Donnie’s guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com Arrangements have been entrusted to HATHEWAY-TEDESCO FUNERAL HOME, 614 BALDWIN ST., MEADVILLE, PA.