May 03 1947 August 10 2019
Thomas David O’Shea May 03, 1947 – August 10, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| View Guestbook Entries| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation Thomas D. O’Shea, devoted, loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, was called home to God on Aug. 10, 2019, after a long illness. He was 72. Born in West Philadelphia, Tom was the son of the late Elizabeth (née Pelczar) and David O’Shea. He attended Transfiguration Catholic Grade School, and after his family moved to Northeast Philadelphia, attended Father Judge High School, graduating in 1965. When his country called him, Tom proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict as a combat infantryman in the 25th, known as Tropic Lightning. He worked in intelligence, which meant he usually knew about the operations the U.S. troops were facing a day or two ahead of time. His unit saw action in the battle of Saigon during the Tet Offensive in 1968. For his service to his country Tom received many medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star. After his time in the military, Tom worked primarily as a pressman in the print department of Mellon Bank (originally Girard Bank and later Citizen’s Bank) for more than 20 years. Never one to keep still for long, after moving to Riverside, N. J. and subsequently retiring, he became active with the Vietnam Veterans of America, South Jersey Chapter 1068. He was especially proud of the work he did with the group: supporting other veterans and helping them secure their benefits, attending events to spread the word about the good works of the VVA, and his promotional work for the group’s annual scholarship golf tournament. There is so much that can be said about the man that Tom O’Shea was. He was a gifted photographer and shared that gift with his family and friends. He was a friend to just about everyone he met, always showing a real interest in getting to know people. He was so generous, always offering to help folks out it when they needed it. Tom was the kind of dependable guy who was always there for people, whether it was a ride to the doctor’s or the airport, or help shoveling snow. He never let anyone down. After his cancer diagnosis, Tom’s positive attitude and determination was an inspiration to all who knew him. Above all, Tom was a family man, devoted to his wife, Lynn, and sons Tom and Mike. He and Lynn liked to spend time together and enjoyed trips to Cape May with their sons when they were children, lunches at the Crab Trap in Somers Point, and dinners in Delaware with his son, Tom, and wife, Virginia. Tom and Lynn took a once-in a-lifetime cruise to Alaska to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. He especially loved the trips he and Lynn took to California to spend time with their son, Mike, daughter-in-law, Myrna, and their granddaughters. He was also an avid Philadelphia sports fan, and enjoyed attending games with family and friends, especially the Flyers and the Phillies. Among his happiest memories were two Flyers outdoor games he got to attend with each of his sons; Mike in 2011 and Tom in 2019. Tom will be deeply missed, especially by his loving wife of 48 years, Lynn; his son Thomas, wife Virginia, and step-granddaughter, Laura; his son Michael, wife Myrna and granddaughters Mila and Margot; his sister Barbara Galloway; nieces, nephews, cousins, and more dear friends than he could count. Tom’s family would like to thank the many people who supported him during his illness, whether it was a phone call, card, visit, prayers or rides to medical appointments. Your love and support meant so much to him and to his family. Special thanks to Tom’s hospice team at Vitas Healthcare; the medical team in the oncology unit of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center; and the kind staff at the VA Medical Center hospice in Philadelphia. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church, 502 New Jersey Ave., Riverside, N.J. at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will immediately follow the Mass at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tom’s name to the Vietnam Veterans of America, South Jersey Chapter 1068, 10 Kennedy Blvd., Somerdale, NJ 08083. SERVICES Visitation Friday, August 30, 2019 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM St. Casimir’s Church, Resurrection Parish 502 New Jersey Avenue Riverside, NJ 08075 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Mass Friday, August 30, 2019 11:00 AM St. Casimir’s Church, Resurrection Parish 502 New Jersey Avenue Riverside, NJ 08075 Get Directions on Google Maps Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Please keep my message private Personal Message: Personal Message (required) Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Thomas David O’Shea May 03 1947 August 10 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Riverton, state: New Jersey