Thomas Andrew Shea Jr., 88, of Naples, Fla., passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2014, after a lengthy illness.

Thomas was born Dec. 3, 1925 in Willimantic, Conn., to the late Thomas Sr. and Delema Gelinas Shea.

He is survived by his loving wife Shirley of Naples; children, Micheal (Michele) of Rocky Hill, Conn., Susan Young (James) of Hampton, Conn., Dianne Hudgins (Ernie) of Mathews, Va., Rita Records (Robert) of Mathews, Va., Gwendolyn Collins (Robert) of Ledyard, Conn., Bill Gwynn of Warner Robins, Ga., and James Gwynn (Phyllis) of Gloucester, Va.; 15 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by brother-in-law, Joseph Ross of Hilton Head, S.C. He was predeceased by his sister, Louise Ross.

Thomas served proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a graduate of the University of Connecticut.

He retired as plant manager from the United Nuclear Corporation, Montville, Conn., in 1985 where he worked very closely with Admiral Hyman Rickover. Prior to moving to Naples in 1997, he resided in Norwich, Conn.

He was an avid boater and offshore fisherman who was loved by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the lung or cancer associations.