Robert S. Shields, Jr., 64, of Bluffton, SC passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday May 16, 2018 at Hilton Head Hospital. Born in West Hartford, CT on February 15, 1954, Rob was the eldest son of the late Robert and Marilyn Shields. He was the husband of Joanne (Lemaire) Shields, with whom he celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary this past March. He and his wife had recently moved to their “happy place” of South Carolina.
He grew up all over New England with his four siblings, graduated from Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey. He attended Pemberton College in Burlington, New Jersey. He was a graduate of the New Jersey State Police Academy. His career began as a police officer, and lived by the “once a cop, always a cop” motto. He was later promoted to detective in the city of Mount Laurel. He was a private investigator in New Jersey for several years. He then followed in his father’s footsteps and entered into the world of retail loss prevention. He worked at Sears, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, CVS before he ultimately arrived at Staples in 1997 where he was a keystone leader in their loss prevention organization for the past 21 years. Most recently he had been leading the Global Retail Loss Prevention Team.
He was heavily involved in community endeavors, such as Habitat for Humanity and The Shepherd’s Pantry- which he served as director for the past 15 years. Giving back was something he cherished and got up early Saturday mornings to dedicate his time, even after working Monday to Friday. He made many friends, from the other volunteers, to those who would come for the assistance they needed. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church where he served on Parish Council, Finance Council, and as a Eucharistic Minister.
Rob loved to golf, and recently had the pleasure to play with dear friends on Harbour Town Golf Course on Hilton Head Island. He recently watched the Heritage Classic in person, and got to see his golf idol Davis Love III. He was very proud of the fact that his new home was on the only Arnold Palmer designed course in the area. He loved all Boston sports teams, and stayed up “late” to watch the Celtics go up 2-0 to the Cavs. You could find him at the soccer fields coaching both of his daughters' teams over several years, and when he wasn’t the coach, he was the biggest sideline cheerleader. In recent years, he enjoyed, much to our embarrassment, biking in his neon yellow and black spandex to West Island Beach on the weekends. He loved to walk Chloe with a bright pink leash, despite being given several “man” leashes to use. He loved anything to do on the water, but was happy just to sit on the beach, watching the boats go up and down Buzzards Bay. He was meticulous in just about everything, but most importantly, his lawn and his cars.
He enjoyed family vacations to Disney, Hilton Head Island, Texas, and one of his favorites, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard. He also looked forward to an annual guys trip to Pinehurst, North Carolina that consisted of golf, cigars, great food and libations.
In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by his greatest joys, his “young ladies”, Cassidy, and her boyfriend Cullen Ennis of New Bedford, MA, and Maddy of North Miami Beach, FL; his brothers, Greg, and wife Kelly of Tyler, TX and Cudjoe Key, FL, Jeff and wife Tammie of The Colony, TX, and Tim and wife Robin of Marion, MA; his wife’s family, Julie and Walter Baiardi, Marcie and Tom Thatcher, Michael and Cindy Lemaire, all of Fairhaven, MA; his two aunts, Kaye Woinicki of Houston, TX, and Linda Lussier and her husband Al of South Windsor, CT; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors, coworkers, and others he considered family; his closest friends, Joe and Mary Frawley of Waltham, MA and Steve and Dolores Hyle of Warwick, RI. He was predeceased by his sister, Cindy Andrews, and his wife’s parents, Rene and Vivianne Lemaire.
To know Rob, was to have been changed for the better by him. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it. He was generous to a fault. He was patient, honest, kind, and supportive. He made us all feel positive, encouraged, and grateful to have known him. His presence will be deeply missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship is being established through Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars, as the Rob Shields Kindness Award. Donations can be mailed to Fairhaven Dollars for Scholars, c/o Sherry Lopes, 64 Green St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday May 22, 2018 from 2-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 440 Main Street, Fairhaven. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.