Michael E. Shea

Michael E. Shea passed away on November 11, 2023, in Bend, Oregon after a year-long battle with cancer. Michael is survived by his wife, Vicki and their children, Joseph and his wife Alyssa Shea, their children, Penelope and Alexander, and Sarah and her husband Austin Simmons. Although Michael graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in architecture, he was always a proud Notre Dame fan due to his upbringing as the oldest child in an Irish Catholic family of thirteen children. Michael moved to the Padua area of Claremont in 1990 when he met and married the love of his life, Vicki, and they immediately started to raise their family with their children attending Claremont schools. Although Michael’s work as an architect meant a daily commute to Pasadena, he always attended and was involved in both children’s activities throughout their childhood years including school events, ballet, soccer, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. He was a very attentive and loving father. Michael also called himself a “citizen architect” which he defined as an architect that takes responsibility in one’s community to make it better. He did strive to help Claremont through his efforts chairing the city’s Architectural Commission for many years, chairing the ad hoc committee on the Claremont Sustainability Plan among other volunteer opportunities through church and Boy Scouts. Michael was also a past President of the Pasadena Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and throughout his career was involved in many architectural projects throughout Southern California and Texas. Michael was environmentally aware of the impact we are having on our world. He and his wife transformed their Claremont grass front yard into a completely edible landscape with raised beds, fruit trees and vegetables throughout. It was a learning garden for everyone walking by on the weekends as they parked to play soccer across the street. Michael was a Renaissance man. His creativity knew no bounds and he loved creating. He had an appreciation for the arts and all kinds of music. Michael was an amazing storyteller and with each telling, the story got funnier and more entertaining. He was also an amazing woodworker, whether it was furniture, longboards for the kids, pens or whatever could be turned on a lathe. He restored a 1967 Datsun Roadster literally from the ground up and his Christmas card sketches were a favorite among family and friends. Michael designed and built their dream home to have a net zero carbon footprint adjacent to the national forest in Bend, Oregon where they retired. Most importantly, Michael was a good and dear husband, son, father, papa, friend, brother, and uncle. One of the most difficult things about retiring and moving to Bend was leaving friends and family. Those long-term relationships were the glue that held Michael up during his long illness and those relationships were the result of Michael’s integrity, honesty, and ability to laugh. Michael will be missed by many. There will be a Memorial Mass for Michael on April 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, California with a reception to follow at the Church. Since relocating to Bend, Michael and Vicki volunteered regularly at The Giving Plate, a food pantry in Bend, Oregon. It was Michael’s wish should anyone wish to make any donations in his memory they be made to The Giving Plate, www.thegivingplate.org/donate. Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.niswonger-reynolds.com

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Michael E. Shea

July 8, 1950 - November 11, 2023