Michael Joseph SHEA

Michael & Helen Greney Shea

Michael Joseph Shea

Michael Joseph Shea was born in March 1901 in Boulasillough, County Kerry Ireland.  He was the fourth of eight children born to James J. Shea and Catherine Coakley Shea.  His birth certificate lists his birth date as 15 March.   Passports, both British and U.S., list his birth date as 25 March. His social security records list his birth date as 21 March.

He was baptized on 24 March 1901.  Godparents were Michael Coakley and Brigid Larkin (relationship unknown).  Michael's paternal grandmother, Margaret Mcgilacuddy Shea (“Mag Mack”), also lived with the family on the family farm in Boulla.

As a young adult, Michael participated in a bit of Irish rebellion during the Irish War of Independence.  His daughter, Ann Marie Shea, tells a story that dates back to the 1960’s.  She and her father were standing on the platform at Farranfore, the closest train station to Firies, the town where he grew up. He pointed down the track and out of nowhere started describing how in the middle of the night he and a bunch of the lads took their boots off and walked in stocking feet to avoid making noise as they approached the station along the track bed. The train station (with all-important telegraph equipment) was directly across a narrow road from barracks for British troops.  This bunch of teen-age farm boys, a few yards away from His Majesty's finest (well, maybe not "finest" --at this point the Brits in Ireland were probably "Black and Tans"--men too disreputable to be allowed to represent the Empire in the trenches in the Great War/WWI, but pardoned for their crimes against society for volunteering to settle the hash of Irish rebels).  Anyway, a daring feat--the lads blew up the station, and its valuable telegraph equipment, while His Majesty's forces slept nearby.  

Legend has it that his mother, Kate Coakley Shea, would stand watch at the "cross"  (the point where the main road met the "boreen" leading to Boulla) when she knew that "Mick" had slipped out for an assignment.  When she could catch sight of him coming home, she would high-tail it back to the house and pretend to be asleep in bed by the time he came in. Nothing, of course, was ever spoken. 

British passport picture

By the time he was 22, it seemed a good idea that he leave Ireland and emigrate to the United Staes.  He left Queenstown, Ireland on the S.S. Carmania and arrived in Boston, Mass. on April 15, 1923.  He lived with his father’s sister, Aunt Ellen and his Uncle John, in Worcester, Massachusetts.  He attended citizenship classes sponsored by the Worcester public schools and became a citzen 27 March 1929.  In 1928, Michael began working for Holy Cross College as a chauffeur.

In 1930, Michael traveled back to Ireland and returned via the S.S. St. Louis to New York on April 8, 1930 with his cousin, Mary O'Connor (daughter of Patrick and Julia Coakley O'Connor).  Mary and Michael then made their way back to Worcester, Massachusetts where Michael returned to his job at Holy Cross College.  Mary found work as a housemaid and cook before moving to New York City.

Michael Shea met Helen Greney while visiting the house where his Aunt LIzzie was a cook and Helen (Nell, Ellen) worked as a domestic.  Helen was the daughter of Margaret and Michael Greney. The Greney name has been spelled various ways.  Her birth certificate showed her name as Ellen "Greeney"; baptismal certificate shows  Ellen "Greany"; and her British passport lists her name as Miss Nellie Greney (Nell being a common nickname for Ellen).  Helen landed in Boston on March 15, 1923 when she was 17 years old.  She went to live with her Uncle Daniel Shine in Worcester. In 1930, she was working as a cook for the Devey family on Williamson St. in Worcester, MA.  She became a naturalized citizen at age 25.

Michael and Helen were married 20 April 1931 at St. Peter’s Church in Worcester.   They had four children:

       1.   James Michael Shea      b:  14 Nov 1932

       2.   John Paul Shea (twin)   b:  13 Aug 1934    d:  4 Apr 2020

       3.   Margaret Shea (twin)     b:  13 Aug 1934 d:  3 Jan 2009

       4.   Ann Marie Shea             b:  17 Dec 1939

Wedding April 20, 1931

There was an interesting story about Michael taking a friend to visit his sick brother at St. Vincent hospital.  When they returned to the car, they found an abandoned baby in the front seat of their car.  The 6-8 wk. baby boy was called "Mike" by the nurses.  You can see the newspaper article here.

Helen worked as a seamstress for many years.  Michael was the Superintendent of Grounds at Holy Cross College when he retired after 40 years.  

My family would visit my grandparents at their house on Montague Street.  I loved that house.  It was at the top of a hill, had an awesome wrap around porch and the doors to the living room had glass panes in them.  I remember getting up early and sitting at the kitchen table having "coffee" with Poppa Shea.  Well, he had coffee; I had a little bit of coffee with lots of milk and sugar. 

Helen and Michael were married for 45 years when Michael died of cancer on 27 Nov 1976.  Helen died 17 Feb 2001.

John, Peggy, Helen, Ann Marie, Michael Shea

Michael with Jim and the twins, John & Peggy

Peg Shea O'Connor holding Anne; Ann Marie holding John; Helen;
Michael holding Jim and Kathy sitting in front. (abt 1963)