Henry M. Shea Jr., 85, of Plaistow, passed away September 3, 2015 at Exeter Hospital.

He was born on August 22, 1930 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the son of the late Henry M. and Jessie N. (Merrill) Shea. He was raised and educated in Haverhill and graduated from the Haverhill Trade School, Class of 1949.

Henry was a decorated US Army veteran of the Korean War.

Henry worked for Brentwood Furniture in Haverhill, Massachusetts as a production supervisor with 35 years of service when the company closed in 1988. He owned and operated Shea’s Colonial Furniture in Plaistow from 1955 to 1996.

He dedicated his time and talent as a Cub Scout leader for Pack 18 in Plaistow for 20 years. Henry had a very special way with children. Although he was a large man, with a booming voice, he had a very kind and gentle demeanor that put children at ease.

Henry was a very spiritual man and an active member and participant in various capacities at Mary Mother of The Church in Newtown.

Henry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Richard) Shea of Plaistow; his daughter, Anne E. Yates of Andover; his brother, Donald J. Shea and wife Romaine of Haverhill, Massachusetts; his sister, Nancy Hadfield of Ohio; his grandchildren, Matthew S. Shea of Sandown and Jennifer E. Richardson of Bradford; his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth P. Richardson; and his dear friend, Paul MacKendry and wife Beth of Plaistow. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive him.

Henry was pre-deceased by his son, Michael H. Shea, in 1994.

Family and friends attended Mr. Shea’s Life Celebration on September 8 at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home in Plaistow. His funeral was on September 9 at the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish at Mary Mother of The Church in Newton. Burial followed in St. James Cemetery in Haverhill, Massachusetts.