Francis Shea Jr., who brought joy to so many with the Irish Celtic Festival he started in 2012, died Jan. 17 from cancer. He was 59.
Besides running the Irish Celtic Festival for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, he also served as president of the New World Celts in Sarasota and was a member of the Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church pastt Faithful Navigator in Lakewood Ranch.
Before moving to Lakewood Ranch in 2005, he enjoyed Irish-themed events living in Boston.
"He did a lot with our schools and my brothers (Bradenton's Ryan and Micheal Shea) were into sports," Casey Shea said. "He coached basketball, raised money for the PTA and was a Boy Scout leader. He cared about where we lived." |