Hiram - Time stood still for a moment on May 12, 2020 as David Marr Shields passed away. His family was gathered around him as he transitioned to eternal life with our Lord and Savior. We celebrate the legacy he left behind and know he has been reunited with loved ones that have gone before him.
On December 10, 1943, the world became a better place as David, the youngest of three children of James and Helen Shields and brother to James Jr. and sister to Jean, came to be with us. He was taught to have a strong work ethic on the farm in Dyer Brook, Maine and make hay while the sun shined. Because of this strong work ethic, David was led to believe that fish only bit on rainy days. It wasn’t until years later he found out that simply wasn’t true.
David found the love of his life with Janet Elsie Morgan of Sherman Mills, Maine. They met at a town hall dance in Patten, Maine. He thought she was so incredibly beautiful that she must have been an exchange student. Their first date was to the movies in Houlton and the romance continued to bloom from there. They were married November 24,1962 and David continued to adore her for more than 57 years.
During the Vietnam War, David knew he was going to get drafted in to service. Therefore, he decided to enlist in the Air Force. He served as a Radio Control Airman and was attached to the front lines of the Army. He was responsible for maintaining communication with Air Force command for air support and was given “23 Ragged Scooper” as his call name. He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal (with “V” device) for his “heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty”. He also received the Army Commendation Metal for his “keeping with the finest traditions of inter-service cooperation”. David’s personal claim to fame during this time was…he slept through a mortar attack.
After serving his country, David gained employment at GTE/Sylvania in Standish, Maine. He worked there for 35 years in electrical maintenance. He was very well known and respected for his professional abilities and exceptional people skills.
David also performed his civic duties by being a member of the School Board for MSAD 55 for 18 years. He also did a three year term as a Selectman for the Town of Hiram.
David’s true strength was the exemplary love of his family! That love was unconditional and everyone connected in their own special way to this extraordinary man. David and Janet had son’s Mark, John, Michael, Tim and adopted brother Chester and sister Joy Charette. With his wife, they demonstrated and instilled core Christian values on how to be and live an incredible life.
There were very special bonds David and Janet had with brother Jim and wife Sandy, sister Jean and husband Harvey Moody, and cousin Mary and husband Pete Lucas. They would gather on a regular basis and called themselves the “Crazy 8’s”. The remainder of the family was proudly known as “the rest of the deck”. Details of the gatherings were never revealed, other than they had a really good time!
David was preceded in death by parents James and Helen Shields and daughter Joy Charette Pepin.
Surviving are David’s wife Janet Shields, sons Mark Shields, John Shields and wife Patty, Michael Shields and wife Brenda, Tim Shields and wife Laurie, Chester Charette and wife Kristen. Grandchildren include Joshua Charette and wife Meryl, Zachary Charette, Joshua Bailey and wife Cassidy, Brianna Connell and husband Chad, Heather Jones and husband Luke, Tyler Ross and wife Morgan, Dylan Shields, Morgan Cartonio and husband Neal, Mikaela Shields, Corinne Shields and Julia Shields. Great grandchildren include Harper and Beckett Connell, Kenneth Jones, Ryla Ross.
The Celebration of Life ceremony will be determined at a later date. Arrangements are respectfully handled by Poitras, Neal and York Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.mainefuneral.com
In memory of David, please feel free to make donations to: Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or mail to: Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, P.O.Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011