Obituary of Donald O'Shea

Donald F. O’Shea, a retired Manager at General Tire passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017. He was 84 years old. Don was born in Malden, the son of Irish immigrants, the late Daniel and Julia O’Shea. He grew up in Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School. He enlisted in the Army during the Korean War and served from May of 1953 to April 1955 in the Army Signal Corp. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. After the war, he furthered his education at Boston University. Don had worked at General Tire starting at the age of 17. After his military serve, he returned to General Tire, now called Aeroteck, and worked his way from being a assembler to a manager. He retired at the age of 55. Don married Barbara (Lind) in 1956 and they started their life together living in Malden and Burlington before they settled in Burlington in 1963. It was in Burlington that they raised their 3 children. Don got involved in coaching Burlington Pop Warner Football when his son, Don Jr. was playing. He loved coaching, teaching the players the game and good sportsmanship. After Don, Jr. moved out of Pop Warner, Don remained coaching for over 20 years. He was thrilled when his team won the Championship in 1978. Don was a loyal Patriots fan not matter what their record was. He was bit of an arm chair quarterback, calling out the plays based on the formations as if the players could hear him. Another sport Don was a big fan was that of figure skating. His late wife Barbara was a figure skater and his grandson, Daniel O’Shea, an U.S. Pairs Champion 2016 and future Olympian. Don and his wife Barbara enjoyed traveling in their later years. They had the opportunity to vacation in Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean. He was always there for his children whenever they needed support, advice, or a helping hand. He loved being a grandfather and great grandfather. He would take his grandkids to day excursions whale watching, seeing the ships in Boston, and many other adventures that excited the grandchildren. They will all hold a special place in their hearts for “Papa O”. Don was the husband of the late Barbara J. (Lind) O’Shea. He was the loving father of Donald O’Shea, Jr. & his wife Judith of Gurnee, IL, Patricia Avilez of Woburn and Loretta O’Shea of Dedham. He was the brother of Mary Brennan of Wakefield and Evelyn Cocozella of Falmouth. Don was the proud grandfather of Jason Keane O’Shea, Michael Avilez, Daniel O’Shea, Joseph, Sheala, and Robert Frasca, Jr., and the late Eugene “Gino” Avilez and great grandfather of Charity & Keegan O’Shea and Mia Avilez. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Tuesday, March 21 at 8am. Followed by Graveside services at Pine Haven Cemetery, Bedford St., Burlington at 9am. Visiting hours Monday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers memorials in Don’s name may be made to the United States Figure Skating Association, Representing Olympic Figure Skaters, 20 First St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906 or www.USFSA.org. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net