The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-11-22

ceased's life, his contacts his work
and the many sources Of pleasure
he had-in helping others. 1t be-
comes difficult. however, to realize
that only last Saturday morning
Pete Shea had exchanged his GUS
tomary daily greetings with friends
In q restaurant before he coll
lapsed from a ruptured varicose
vein In his leg. He was removed
to st Mary's hospital, where 1t was
found necessary, owing to his weak
ened condition, to keep hundreds
from visiting him, Mr. Shea's
death was announced shortly aft
err 10 o'clock this morning.
Born I'm South Manchester
The deceased was q native OF
South Manchester, but one cannot
associate him with any other COM
munity than Waterbury. He came
to Waterbury with his parents, the
late Humphrey and Mary Shea, at
the age of three years. The family
resided in the Brooklyn district for
many years. The name Of Peter
Shea will be found linked with the
activities of the famous st Thomas
Cadets and with the mems societies
Of the early years Of st Patrick's
parish. His interest in drum corps
was manifested in his early youth.
He started with st Thomas Cadets
and later became associated
with the old Hellmann's Advanced
Drum corps, regarded at that time
as one Of the outstanding organiza-
tons Of its kind in America.
Proud Leader OF Mattatucks
The present generation will al
ways remember Pete as the proud
leader of the historic Mattatuck
Drum corps. What a thrill he
gained from marching at the head
of that time-honored outfit, wheth-
er in Waterbury, in Boston or,
when he led the cheering Water
bury contingent to welcome home
the Yankee Division; at Yorktown
when the anniversary of the sur
render Of Lord CORVALLIS was re-
called in brilliant pSgeantry; at the
sesqui-centennial celebration in
Philadelphia; at Richmond where
the famous Richmond Blues, one of
the south's greatest military organ
izations reside, or in a score or
more places in all sections Of the
country. The Mattatuck Drum
corps with Its 1877 years of history
and the equally famous Putnam
Phalanx of Hartford have marched
together In many historic annivers-
aries and in recent years 1t was the
same, smiling Pete Shea who led
the corps.
Drum Major Champion
Years ago Peter Shea was the
recognized champion baton of this
section Of the country. He held the
position of drum major Of the Mat
tatuck Drum corps for Is years,
Joining 1t during the hectic days Of
the war.
For 40 years the deceased was as
ISOLATED with the John ]. Price
Printing company. He was q
charter member of the Waterbury
Printing Press Union No $50.
"Waterbury's Own" the 304th
Devens will gratefully remember
the part played by their late hon
ored comrade in raising funds
which brought them home on a
gala holiday visit to their home
town. Most everyone will re-
member him as one of the most en-
thusiastic -Four Minute speakers
who spoke in Liberty Bond sales
and similar campaigns. Thousands
have heard him with keen delight
in his capacity as announcer at
various athletic promotions. box
ing and wrestling engagements, and
community gatherings Of every de-
scription. Pete and his silver voice
were known in all parts OF Connec-
ticut. As an announcer his mimi
table mannerisms, his keen wit and
his flair for telling humorous anec-
dotes made him a public figure.
Pete Shea without a smile or joke
would have been a stranger to hun
dreds of his fellow townsmen.
His eagerness to serve in any ca
pacity whatever made him a valu-
able asset to the Salvation Army.
to the knights Of Columbus and
other organizations on the differ
ent occasions they went before the
public with an appeal.
Pete, the man with million dol
lar personality and thousands Of
admirers, played no active part in
politics, although several years ago
his name was linked with the NOM
ination for the office Of town clerk
He made no active campaign, how
ever, for the honor.
Funeral arrangements will be
announced later. The deceased re-
sided at % Elmwood avenue. He
is survived bN his daughter, Mrs
Albert Walsh and one son, Peter,
Jr; two sisters, Mrs William Car
son of Hartford and Mrs Margaret