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| Daniel J. O'Shea 1931-2013 |
My Father-in-Law, Dan O'Shea passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. Though his health was bit precarious over the last few years, he and my Mother-in-Law Joan, (my discreet grammar editor) still continued to do many of the things they always did, invariably together, over the last 56 years.
Dan is a true American success story. Born in Brooklyn to Irish immigrant parents, who stressed hard work and education, he graduated Brooklyn Technical High School. He then served two years in the Marines and when he returned, resumed continuing his education, receiving a B.A. from Brooklyn College, an M.B.A. from Pace University and a Ph.D from N.Y.U.
An impressive accomplishment, by any standard.
He married his beloved, Joan Cleary in 1956, and went on to have a successful career as an economist at I.B.M. for 35 years, also finding time to teach Economics at Pace University. Before his official retirement, they spent 3 glorious years in Paris while Dan worked abroad. He then consulted for a few years and before deciding to "really" retire, then promptly started his own successful stamp business.
Along the way, they had 3 children, Daniel, Christopher (my husband) and Mary Ellen, whom they raised in White Plains, N.Y.
When Dan realized that his I.B.M. required pager didn't beep beyond a 100 mile radius, he cleverly bought the first of their three summer homes in Sag Harbor. There he would enjoy peaceful, uninterrupted weekends and vacations with the rest of the family, creating some of their happiest family memories. He and Joan both loved to fish and she would often enjoy preparing their catch of the day for dinner.
Dan and Joan loved to travel and had the good fortune to see much of the world by land and sea. They were devoted, generous Grandparents to Mallory, Tristan and Greg and attended hundreds of our son Brendan's baseball and basketball games over the years, always in good cheer.
Dan enjoyed the Yankee's, had an impressive collection of signed baseballs, and was a Sudoku whiz. He and Joan were active in their church and enjoyed many trips and outings with friends.
All and all, an extremely accomplished life, well lived. Rest in peace Dan. You will be missed...
xox,
DD
P.S. Joan, I was angling for flawless. I hope I succeeded.
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