BANGOR – Thomas Odber Shields, 70, of Bangor, went to be with the Lord on June 20, 2004. He was born Oct. 22, 1933, in Bangor, the son of Thomas O. Sr. and Ellen (Wight) Shields. He grew up in Winterport, and spent many years around Maine and in Tucson, Ariz. In 1952, he graduated from Winterport High School and in 1955, joined the U.S. Army. He received a bachelor’s of arts degree in journalism in 1962 at the University of Maine in Orono. Furthering his education in journalism, Tom earned a master’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1980. Tom held a variety of jobs through the years, including the healthcare field, real estate, politics and business. He eventually realized his real love was writing and he spent several years as a newspaper reporter. He worked for the Bangor Daily News in both Machias and Bangor. He also was employed by the United Press International, and most recently until retirement, he was a reporter and special features writer for the Tucson Citizen. An accomplished writer, Tom received numerous literary and reporting awards from newspapers and other groups including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. In addition to writing, Tom’s special interests included fishing, golf, and cheering for the Boston Red Sox. As a proud graduate of the University of Maine, Tom was active in the University of Maine Alumni Association in Arizona, as well as Maine. He enjoyed attending the University games and other activities. Another special interest was the University of Maine Foundation, where he established a scholarship fund for students from Winterport and surrounding towns. Wherever Tom went he was especially known for his great sense of humor, warm smile, and his positive outlook on life in spite of often-adverse health issues. He had a very deep compassion for people and a special heart for the helpless, whether people or animals. He also had a strong distaste for injustice of any kind, an attribute reflected in many of his writings. Tom attended St. Phillip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson, Ariz., and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bangor. Through the years he developed an ever-growing faith in God. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Charles Woodman of Juneau, Alaska; one nephew; several cousins and numerous friends in Maine and in Arizona. His cousins include Joe and Mary Walls of Bingham, Janet and Weldon Young of Alton, Sherian Ouellette of Winterport, Peggy and Bill Kelly of Bangor; special friends, Joe Floyd and Joan Frederic of Holden, and Charlie and Pam O’Leary of Orono. He will be greatly missed by the morning coffee crew at Momma Baldacci’s. His dog, Joey and cat, Becky, were also very important in his life. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 234 French St., Bangor, with the Rev. Kevin Holsapple, rector, presiding. Committal and burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Winterport. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas O. Shields Scholarship Fund, University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792 or to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 B Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401. Friends who wish may contact his sister by writing, Phyllis Woodman, P.O. Box 32286, Juneau, AK 99803. Arrangements by Kiley Funeral Home, 69 State St., Brewer.
THOMAS ODBER SHIELDS
