Paul Shields

Paul Shields, 92, died December 5, 2017 at the Westminster Manor in Bradenton, Florida of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Born April 14, 1925, in East Boston, the youngest son of his late parents the Medford, Massachusetts Ferry Boat Captain, Owen S. Shields of County Louth, Ireland and Veronica Campbell of East Boston. Paul graduated Saint Clement High School in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1942, and joined the US Navy in 1943 as Quartermaster 3rd class, was part of the Invasion of Normandy, and discharged in 1946. Married Geraldine Shields, daughter of the late Melba and Archie Frazer of Lansing, Michigan, in 1950 and had 4 children.

He obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan State University in Criminal Justice and Police Training, and subsequently joined the FBI in 1951, with assignments in Denver, Detroit, New Orleans and New York City. Later contracted by Michigan State University to train the South Vietnamese National Police force in 1959. In 1962, joined the United States Agency for International Development, as Foreign Service Inspector, with assignments in Pakistan, Korea, South Vietnam, and Panama. While on Foreign Service assignments, Paul traveled frequently and extensively throughout the region with his family, though they maintained a permanent residence in Fairfax, Virginia. Paul retired as Director of Inspections and Investigations for USAID in 1979.

Upon retirement, Paul accepted senior criminal justice administrative assignments that took him and his wife to Annapolis, Maryland and Huntsville, Texas. They ultimately retired to Longboat Key, Florida, while also residing in Highland Ranch, Colorado, where they developed many loving and supportive friendships. Paul and Gerry maintained their well-traveled lifestyle RV-ing across the continental United States numerous times and journeying to Alaska and Mexico. In retirement Paul made time to become a generous and active member of the St. Vincent’s Society in both Colorado and Florida, and the Still Point House of Prayer in Bradenton, Florida. Paul’s wife of 59 years, Geraldine Shields, predeceased him. He is survived by his four children; Maureen Shields Grosshuesch and her husband Peter Grosshuesch of Breckinridge, Colorado; Melba Shields of Port Richey, Florida; Patrick Shields and his wife Mary Shields of Norwalk, Connecticut; and Terrance Shields and his wife Dawn Smith Shields of Littleton, Colorado; as well as seven grandchildren.

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