Obituary of Elwood N. Shields

Elwood N. “Al” Shields, retired Bentley University Athletic Director and Basketball Coach passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, January 24, 2017. He was 80 years old. Al was born in Somerville, the son of Archie and Claire Shields. He grew up in Somerville and was a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1954, where he excelled in sports. His high school dream was to become a sports journalist so went to Northeastern University to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree. He would later go to Boston State to earn his Master’s Degree in Psychology. He first worked as the Sports Information Director at Northeastern University. In 1962, Al took the challenge, and became Bentley’s first Athletic Director. He brought Bentley, which had only offered intramural sports, to a competitive varsity sports program. It took 2 years to recruit athletes, coaches, start building facilities and establish a Varsity Sports Program. Al also took on the role of Head Coach for the Basketball program which he led for 15 years compiling a 258-106 record and steering the Bentley Falcons into five NCAA Division 2 regional tournaments. As an athletic director he introduced basketball, baseball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Al was also the founding member of the North East- 10 Conference and served as the first Commissioner for the NE-10 and continued that role from its inception in 1979 until 1990. Over the years, Al has been recognized with numerous awards including 2 Coach of the Year Awards, Bentley University Athletic Hall of Fame, Northeast 10 Conference Hall of Fame, and the naming of the Bentley Fieldhouse in his honor, Elwood “Al” Shields Fieldhouse. All of those honors were deeply appreciated by Al, but for him it was all about sharing his love of sports with the students. He brought collegiate athletics to Bentley, he gave the campus a unifying spirit, and helped his athletes to receive great educations, which led to great careers and leaders in the community and all across the country. So Al’s legacy was more than a 15 years of coaching, 29 years as athletic director, NE-10 Commissioner, it was a man who molded athletes, brought team spirit to a college, and who was greatly respected by his counterparts. Al was also a person deeply devoted to his family. He was the loving husband to his wife Donna for 55 years. He was very proud of his children and supported them in their educations, sports, and in their life choices. He loved being a grandfather and was thrilled to see his 10 grandchildren playing on the fields and courts and reaping the rewards and joys of playing sports. He also enjoyed time spent with all his family at his vacation home in Falmouth where many summer days were spent with family and friends on the beaches and golf courses of Cape Cod. Al was a man with lofty virtues, and a man who has influenced the lives of not only his children and grandchildren, but countless other athletes, coaches, and administrators. Al was the beloved husband of Donna L. (Torno). Loving father of David formerly of Burlington, Mark & his wife Kristin of Bend, OR, Kyle & his wife Michele of Burlington, and Allison Theirrien & her husband Sonny of Burlington. Father-in-law of Suzanne Shields of Burlington. Brother of Walter & his wife Beverly of SC, David of FL, and Late Doris Lyons. Brother-in-law of William Lyons of FL, Gretchen McKechnie of Southwick, and Karen & Roger Gauthier of South Hadley. Proud grandfather of Kasey, Jenna, Kevin, Ryan, Chloe, Kyle & Bryan Shields and Jacob, Meaghan, & Jamie Theirrien. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. Followed by a Mass at St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 9 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Al’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or www.alz.org/manh.