ELIOT, ME – Capt. Walter E. Shea Jr., 63, of Panama City Beach, Florida passed away unexpectedly at his summer home in Eliot, Maine on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Walter was born in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, on March 9, 1955 to Anita (Morrison) and Walter E. Shea Sr.

Walter graduated from Marshwood High School in Eliot, Maine. He pursued his dream and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1977. He then lived his life at sea and retired after attaining the rank of Captain in 2003 to care for his mother.

Walter loved horses; his family had five when he was growing up. He was a member of 4H and rode competitively in many horse shows during his teenage years.

Walter was in the Naval Reserves, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander.

Walter spent many hours putting together numerous models of ships. He loved doing sudoku and crossword puzzles. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing outlandish jokes with his many friends.

He is survived by his two very special cousins Paul Shea, who looked after his home in Eliot and Donna Crossland of Rome, NY where he spent Christmas with her and her family for many years making the long drive from his home in Florida. He is also survived by many  other cousins and countless friends.

He was predeceased by his father in 1991 and his mother in 2008.

He was passionate about helping animals.

SERVICES: A time of visiting will be held from 11a-12n on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Rd, Kittery, ME. A funeral will be celebrated following the time of visiting, promptly at 12n. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Walter's memory to The Humane Society of the United States, Dept: Memorial Donations, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com .  Care for the Shea family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.