George Leonard Shea

George Leonard “Len” Shea passed away on April 20, 2026, at the age of 92, following a brief illness.

 

Len was born in 1933 in Swedesboro, New Jersey, to George H. Shea Jr. and Beryl Shea. He was predeceased by his younger brother Jim in 2025.

 

Len was a graduate of St. Andrews School in Middletown, DE and the Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania. At Penn he was captain of the wrestling team and an avid wrestling fan throughout his life. He was in the ROTC program at Penn where he began his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps. He reached the rank of Second Lieutenant, eventually becoming a Major in the Marine Corps Reserves. He was an extremely proud Marine, collected Marine memorabilia, and was an avid student of Marine history.

 

Len began his civilian career as a probation officer. He quickly transitioned to a long career in retail management starting at the downtown Philadelphia flagship store of Strawbridge and Clothier. He went on to become Executive Vice President of Personnel of their Clover division, where he was instrumental in growing the business to 26 stores in the 1970’s. Len was extremely proud of the companies’ accomplishments and would often regale family members with tales of customer, staff, and operational mishaps. Len retired from Clover in 1996. He loved his work and his Clover and Strawbridge’s associates were dear to him his entire life, meeting annually for luncheons until his death.

 

In 1955, Len married his hometown sweetheart, Farilyn Hayden. Together they built a life that took them from Miami, Florida, to Woodbury, New Jersey, before settling in Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, where they raised their four children. Family life was filled with camping adventures in their pop-up trailer and cherished trips to visit relatives in Maine. Len and Farilyn were longtime active congregants of Oreland Presbyterian Church where they enjoyed the fellowship of the OPC community and established a vast and enduring network of friends through the church. Among those friends were Ruth and Bob Lester. After Bob’s passing in 1995 and Farilyn’s death in 1996, Len and Ruth found comfort in one another and shared many happy years together. Until Ruth’s passing in 2025, they enjoyed frequent trips to the Shea family cabin on a lake in Union, Maine, welcoming friends and creating lasting memories for their children and grandchildren. In later years, Len and Ruth were happiest at Len’s home in Wyndmoor, faithfully watching Phillies games and a smattering of Judge Judy.

 

Len was a proud patriarch of the Shea family. He had a deep love for family history and took great joy in sharing family stories that connected generations. He was at his happiest during “Shea Day,” the family’s cherished reunions.

 

Despite being a proudly frugal “child of the Great Depression,” Len was extremely generous to his family and friends, and he regularly supported a host of charitable organizations. He enjoyed an active lifestyle with many hobbies including running, tennis, and hunting.

 

While there is a hole left in our hearts by Len’s passing, we’re proud of his legacy and the enduring impressions he’s left on his family, friends, and community.

 

Len is survived by his children: Laurie (Thomas) Petrik, Kenneth (Kathleen) Shea, George H. (Gillian Tierney) Shea III, and his late daughter, Karen Shea Brill. He will also be deeply missed by his nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his step-sisters, Carol and Valerie.

 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Len’s Memorial Service on May 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Oreland Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1119 Church Road, Oreland, PA. Interment will be private.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Len’s memory may be made to Keystone House or Kids Five and Over.