James A Shields of Ponte Vedra Beach died from heart failure Sept. 10, 2016 at age 83.
Jim was husband to Frances and father of six children – Mary (Paul), Anthony (Carol), James (Chris), Michael (Karen), William (Mary) and Joann (Jim).
Born and raised in Woodhaven, New York to Anthony Shields and Elizabeth Henry, Jim is survived by his older sister Joan, who serves God as a Catholic Nun in the Sisters of St Joseph in New York and a younger sister, Catherine Morvillo, wife of the late Robert, mother of Christopher, Gregory, Robert and Scott, residing in Rockville Centre, New York.
Jim moved to Ponte Vedra from New York in 1993 with Fran after retiring from work as a floor broker/options specialist on the American Stock Exchange. His father, Anthony, began work on Wall Street during the Depression and worked his way up to ownership in a small Wall Street firm, Edwards and Hanley.
Jim attended Xavier High School in New York City and entered College at Niagara University, a Catholic University, outside of Buffalo. Jim served as a captain in the U.S. Army after graduation from Niagara.
He met Frances Ciaudello in high school and was married in 1955. After serving in the Army, they resided in Rockville Centre, New York, where they raised their six children before retiring to Florida in 1993.
Jim was an avid golfer, as well as sports enthusiast and was a devoted fan of the Jaguars, New York Mets and of professional golf. His wife Fran enjoyed golf and loved working as an employee of the PGA tour.
Jim was very active in parish life at Our Lady Star of the Sea and served as a lector at daily Mass, CHRP Member, and many other ministries at OLSS. Jim was devoted to Mission House in Jacksonville Beach, which serves daily meals to the poor and homeless and is supported by an army of local volunteers and businesses.
This follows the Catholic tradition taught by Niagara University where they teach their leaders to serve the poor and the oppressed and to make a difference in local communities and the larger world. Jim lived this credo.
Jim was a man of honesty and integrity and unpretentious to his core. He had a deep faith in Christ and a love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He followed the lives of his six children and 16 grandchildren very closely and was extremely proud of all of their academic and athletic achievements.
As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, Jim will be deeply missed by many who had the great pleasure of spending time with him. He was loved by many and genuinely cared for and loved his fellow man.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, with interment following in Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery.
Please visit our online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home…(LOGO)
