SHEA, Matthew Maurice

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona Published Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Matthew Maurice Shea passed away in quiet dignity and grace at Sunrise Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nev., Sept. 27, 2010. Tim and Janet Shea welcomed their beautiful boy, Matt, into their family on May 17, 1977, in Butte, Mont. Matt was educated in the Butte School District and graduated from Butte High School in 1996. While in school, Matt played football, wrestled, and was a gifted potter. He loved all kinds of music and people. After graduation, Matt joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. His service to our country lasted for 10 years and included a deployment to Turkey. Matt continued to reside in Las Vegas after his honorable discharge. In 2002, Matt married Gina Barnard, of Las Vegas. On June 6, 2003, he welcomed his beloved daughter, Taylor Erin Shea, into his world. Taylor was truly the joy of his life. In 2005, he met Stephanie Engelhart, of Lake Havasu City. He has called Lake Havasu City his home for the past five years and has touched the lives of many people here. Matt was very proud of his Irish heritage. He was a true Butte Irishman in every sense of the word. He worked hard, he played hard, he loved deeply, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. Matt could light up a room with his personality and style. Matt made a lasting impression on everyone who was lucky enough to be in his life. Matt leaves behind his daughter, Taylor Erin Shea; his parents, Tim and Janet Shea; his younger brother, Nick Shea; his older brother and sister-in-law, Tim Shea and Michele Shea; his niece, Mallory Shea; and nephews, Willy and Timmy Shea. Also surviving are Matt’s grandparents, Diane Mulcahy, Tim and Gail Shea; uncles and aunts, Tom and Cyndie Mulcahy, John and Toni Mulcahy, Moe and Raelene Mulcahy, Jim and Tressie Mulcahy, Amy and Gary Hopewell, Chris and Cathy Murphy, Teri Brown, and Gary Shea. Matt is also survived by numerous great-aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. Matt was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Charlie and Jean Smith, Katherine and Albert Sauter, Bernie and Ann O’Neill and May and Thomas “Titty” Mulcahy; and grandfather, Maurice James "Moe" Mulcahy. Funeral Services took place in Matt’s hometown of Butte, Mont., Oct. 5. A celebration of life will be at London Bridge Beach, Saturday, at 11 a.m. A fund for Taylor has been set up at Butte Community Federal Credit Union, 2901 Grand Ave., Butte, MT 59701 406-723-8284.