Mr. Philip L. Shea

PHILIP L. SHEA Former State Senator, State Representative, Lowell City Councilor A true friend of Lowell and a “Kid from the Acre” Philip L. Shea, a prominent political figure in the City of Lowell and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for over 50 years, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at the age of 84. He was the beloved husband of Anne Farley, who along with his son Brian Shea and dear friend Mark Briere were together at Phil's side when he passed. Phil was born in Lowell on October 19, 1941, a son of Joseph Shea and Ann T. (Handley) (Shea) Oliver. He was a proud resident of the Acre Section of Lowell, growing up on Lewis Street with his widow mother and three brothers. Phil and his brothers enjoyed caddying at Vesper CC during the day, and shining shoes for 10 cents a pair in the evenings. As a young boy, Phil attended St. Patrick’s Boys School, and graduated from the Bartlett Jr. High School. He then attended Lowell High School, graduating with the class of 1959, the same year he won the Greater Lowell (Novice) Golden Gloves Boxing Championship (139 pounds). He was also a member of the Lowell High School Golf team for 3 years. Phil matriculated to Bentley College, then Bentley School of Accounting, where he graduated in June of 1962, attaining his enrollment to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. He was a self-employed Tax accountant, a former vice president and assistant to the president of the Union National Bank, a self-employed Business Strategies Specialist, and later in his life as Chief Financial Officer for Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin. The pinnacle of his life’s work was a long and successful career in local and state politics. He was elected to the Lowell City Council, serving from 1970-1973. He was then elected a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1973-1978, when he was elected State Senator, a position he held until 1984. Phil was the only person to be elected and to have served the city in all three categories since the Plan E form of Government was created in 1944. While serving in the State Legislature, Phil was involved and participated in many legislative accomplishments, including Creating the Lowell Heritage State Park, repealing the “Blue Laws” to allow stores opening on Sunday in Massachusetts, establishing the Housing Court System in Massachusetts, funding for the Rourke Bridge, and increased new school construction reimbursement to cities and towns from 80% to 90% (1976). Phil was the former vice president of the Lowell Boys Club Board of Directors, former board member of the Lowell Mental Health Association, past treasurer of Camp Paul for exceptional children, the City of Lowell representative to the Lowell Regional Transit Authority Board (vice chairman), and a member and Chairman of the Lowell Housing Authority, the City of Lowell Stadium Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee. In 2016, Phil was inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Association of Lowell High School, at that time being one of approximately 70 inductees out of a total of 50 thousand graduates. In June of 2021, the City of Lowell named the Market Street bridge the Philip L. Shea Bridge after him, for his 50 plus years of service to the city, an honor which he said was very humbling and meant the world to him. His contributions to civic and charitable organizations in the Acre and locally throughout the city are beyond mention. Phil held membership at Long Meadow Golf Club for the past 70 years, was a member of Mount Pleasant Golf Club, and a former member of Vesper CC. Phil loved to travel, this included trips Ireland, Aruba, Florida, and the Carolinas. He attended sports events, golf tournaments, football games in stadiums around the country with his sons and friends. Phil enjoyed music and going to concerts. He was a big supporter of his grandchildren’s sporting events. Phil enjoyed bringing friends to play in Long Meadow Member Guests Tournaments. He was a genuine friend to many and always a gentleman. Phil never forgot where he came from! Phil is survived by his wife Anne Farley; his children, Linda Hayward and her husband Brian of Bedford, NH, Brian Shea and his wife Tracy of Norton, MA, Maureen Thurston and her husband Todd of Barrington, RI, and Michael Shea and his wife Alda of Stamford, CT; ten grandchildren, Patrick Hayward of Bedford, NH, Lauren Hayward of New York City, Calie Shea, Sydney Shea, and Madeline Shea all of Norton, Chloe Shea and Tessa Shea of Stamford, Max Thurston of South Boston, Owen Thurston, and Molly Thurston, both of Barrington; his brother, Ronald Shea of Ashland, KY; his former spouse, Judith Shea of N. Chelmsford; several nieces and nephews living in Ashland, KY, Stamford, CT, Kingston, NH, Dracut, MA, Quincy, MA, and Burlington, VT. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Kate Farley and Patricia Shupp and her husband Ed; and two very dear friends, Mark Briere and Kevin Murphy. Phil was the brother of the late Joseph Shea and Ralph Shea. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND PHIL’S CALLING HOURS ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026, FROM 3 PM UNTIL 7 PM AT THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL. HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY MORNING AT 9 O’CLOCK FROM THE FUNERAL HOME, FOLLOWED BY HIS FUNERAL MASS AT 10 O’CLOCK AT ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH IN THE ACRE, LOWELL. BURIAL WILL FOLLOW AT ST. CATHERINE’S CEMETERY, WESTFORD. AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY, DONATIONS IN PHIL’S MEMORY MAY BE MADE TO THE PHILIP L. SHEA LOWELL HOUSING AUTHORITY SCHOLARSHIP, PO BOX 60, LOWELL, MA 01853 OR TO THE LONG MEADOW GOLF CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND, 165 HAVILAH ST. LOWELL, MA 01852. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com

Mr. Philip L. Shea

October 19, 1941 - December 30, 2025