James R. Shields Jr.

COVENTRY— James R. Shields, Jr., 79, went to join his infant daughter, Mary Theresa, on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Jim was born on July 20, 1939 in Troy, NY to James and Kathryn Buckley Shields. He was raised and schooled in Watervliet, NY and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959. Jim was a machinist with the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, retiring in 1995. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Gibbs Shields; sons, James Shields (Bethany Smith) and John Shields (Bethany Banks); daughter, Carrie (Clarence) Noyes; sisters Margaret Shields and Constance Keegan; in-laws, Harold Gibbs, Carol Murray, and Eleanor Couchman; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful four-legged companion, Hughey. In addition to his daughter and parents, Jim was predeceased by his in-laws, Harold and Rita Huneau Gibbs; brothers-in-law, Leo Keegan, John Couchman, Douglas Murray, and sister-in-law, Theresa Gibbs. Jim enjoyed gardening, but his true passion (other than his family) was woodworking. Jim spent time making “things he didn’t need” such as two dollhouses and their furnishings, several versions of Noah’s Arks, doll furniture, boxes, chests, and frames for Hazel’s needlework. A funeral mass for James will be held 11:00am on Monday, August 27 at Immaculate Conception Church, Greene. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery, Coventry. Friends of the family may call Sunday 5:00 to 7:00pm at Root Funeral Home 23 North Chenango Street, Greene, New York 13778 and condolences may be sent to the family at www.rootfh.com.

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