Michael Dennis Shea, 68, of East Hartford took passage aboard the outbound ship of souls destined for the Isle of the Blest, with a fair wind at his back, on Monday, March 28, 2022.

He is now and will be forever holding forth before the peat filled hearth in the welcome embrace of his ancestors, on the far side of the veil, where all misfortune is banished. Mike was predeceased by his Irish born paternal grandparents Denis and Margaret Hourihan Shea of East Hartford, his maternal grandparents Michael and Margaret Heffernan Powers of Hartford, his loving parents Timothy Francis Shea and wife Ellen Powers Shea of East Hartford and his beloved nephew Michael Gary Shea of Vernon.

Mike leaves to mourn his passing, his brother James Francis Shea and wife Brenda Brissette Shea of Wethersfield, his brother Gary Michael Shea of Vernon, his beloved nephew Timothy Davis Shea and wife Erin Larkum Shea of West Hartford, his grandniece Emerson Shea and grandnephew Camden Siegel of West Hartford and their two rescue dogs Raven and Roxie who never failed to nearly knock him over in their rapture to greet him.

Mike was born April 9, 1953, a lifelong resident of East Hartford, born, raised, educated and molded on the sandlots, woods and playing fields in the South End of town where every neighborhood door was unlocked and every family mutt ran unlicensed and unleashed ’til nightfall. Mike was a 1971 graduate of George J. Penney High School and labored for several decades on the night shift at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. He was a shy, humble, gentle, thoughtful and solitary man. He embodied the soul of the great and ancient Irish wolfhound – gentle when stroked – fierce when provoked.

He bravely waged a great battle with the glory and ruin of a dark mystical melancholy. Mike was an avid reader, philosopher, engaging conversationalist, silver coin collector, and self-taught investment savant. He was quick to confront the arrogant, the posturing, and the pompous who crossed his path. Mike not only acknowledged the downtrodden but befriended them as well; a stubborn faith-filled Catholic to the end.

He generously loved those he loved and he taught us by example that the greatest victories in the present life tainted by luck and public acclaim are but shadows and the final victory of a life is the survival of a thousand defeats and unforeseen tragedies.

We, who loved you Mike, bid you fond ‘slán abhaile’ – safe home, in heaven; and may Saint Patrick himself fly away with the roof of the house where you are unwelcome.

Funeral service will be Thursday (April 7, 2022) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Valley Falls Cemetery in Vernon. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Thursday morning).

Relatives and friends may call at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Wednesday (April 6, 2022) from 4 -7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to a favorite charity of the donor’s choice. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family. Please visit www.desopoeh.com.