During the time since he and his wife opened the Seaport Café, a consistent theme developed in the online customer reviews Greg Shea took great amusement in reading: the lure to the Salem restaurant of the attentive and gregarious owner.
Customers, a wide and devoted circle of friends, and, most of all, the family he held so dear this week are mourning the passing of Mr. Shea, who died suddenly at his home in Beverly at the age of 48.
The son of the late Salem Evening News Editor James Shea, a prominent and influential voice in North Shore affairs during the 1960s and 70s, Mr. Shea made a name for himself since he and his wife, Cindy, opened the Seaport Café in 2010.
The fulfillment of a dream after 25 years in Boston’s financial services industry, the restaurant quickly developed a clientele of regulars whom Mr. Shea knew by name and engaged in conversation about his many passions, including Boston’s professional sports teams, politics and music.
But the greatest loves in Mr. Shea’s life were Cindy, his wife of more than 21 years, whom he met when they were seniors at Boston College, and their daughters, Alyson and Natalie. The Sheas’ annual family Christmas card featured a photo of the girls during the previous summer’s trip to the Outer Banks, and Mr. Shea was at his most enthusiastic in discussing his daughters’ academic and athletic achievements. He attended three World Series in which the Red Sox participated, followed the Patriots to three Super Bowls and was on hand to see BC classmate Doug Flutie throw the Hail Mary pass that completed the Miracle in Miami, but his greatest thrill as a sports fan came from seeing Alyson and Natalie play as teammates on the Beverly High School field hockey and softball teams.
Mr. Shea was a fine athlete himself during his days at Beverly High, where he played football and baseball before graduation in 1981. Friends from Beverly High, including several former teammates, remained part of his social circle for the remainder of his life.
And that circle seemed ever-expanding. Mr. Shea maintained enduring friendships from his days at Boston College and his time working in the Financial District, and he developed new friendships with neighbors around his home in Beverly and the customers who visited his restaurant near Pickering Wharf.
Wherever they came from, friends were drawn by Mr. Shea’s warmth, his sense of humor, and his general love of life and a good time. An avid fan of the Monty Python comedy troupe, he regularly entertained those around him with a similar blend of wit, word play, intellect and silliness. Those who knew — and loved — him will miss his warm embrace and infectious laugh.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Alyson Mary Shea & Natalie Rose Shea, his siblings, Brian J. Shea & wife Lisa of West Newbury; Maureen A. Shea of Boston; Sheila Colahan & husband Steve of Beverly; Christopher M. Shea & wife Suzanne of Beverly, his in-laws, Richard & Mary Seib of Avon Lake, OH. He was a brother-in-law to Sandy Hebert & Douglas Seib & his wife Robin of OH and uncle of Celia, Harry, James, Katherine & Caroline Shea; Paul & Marianne Colahan; Waverly, Mallory & Grace Hebert. He was predeceased by parents, James & Marianne Shea of Beverly.
ARRANGEMENTS: A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly, Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Campbell – Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly (North Beverly location) Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Greg’s memory to The Greg Shea Education Fund, c/o Peoples United Bank, 240 Cabot St., Beverly, MA 01915. Information, directions & condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
