James Shields

James A Shields of Ponte Vedra Beach passed away from heart failure on Sept. 10, 2016 at age 83.

Jim was husband to Frances and father of 6 children, Mary (Paul), Anthony (Carol), James (Chris), Michael (Karen), William (Mary) and Joann (Jim).

Born and raised in Woodhaven, NY to Anthony Shields and Elizabeth Henry, Jim is survived by his older Sister Joan, who serves God as a Catholic Nun in the Sisters of St Joseph in NY and a younger sister, Catherine Morvillo, wife of the late Robert, mother of Christopher, Gregory, Robert and Scott, residing in Rockville Centre, NY.

Jim moved to Ponte Vedra, Florida from New York in 1993 with Fran after retiring from work as a floor broker/options specialist on the American Stock Exchange.

His father, Anthony, began work on Wall Street during the depression and worked his way up to ownership in a small Wall Street firm, Edwards and Hanley.

Jim attended Xavier High School in NYC and entered College at Niagara University, a Catholic University, outside of Buffalo, NY. Jim served as a captain in the US Army after graduation from Niagara.

He met Frances Ciaudello in High School and was married in 1955. After serving in the Army, they resided in Rockville Centre NY, where they raised their 6 children before retiring to Florida in 1993.

Jim was an avid Golfer, as well as sports Enthusiast and was a devoted fan of the Jaguars, NY Mets and of professional golf. His wife Fran enjoyed golf and loved working as an employee of the PGA tour.

Jim was very active in parish life at Our Lady Star of the Sea and served as a lector at daily Mass, CHRP Member, and many other ministries at OLSS.  Jim was devoted to Mission House in Jacksonville Beach, which serves daily meals to the poor and homeless and is supported by an army of local volunteers and businesses.

This follows the Catholic tradition taught by Niagara University where they teach their leaders to serve the Poor and the oppressed and to make a difference in local communities and the larger world. Jim lived this credo.

Jim was a man of honesty and integrity and unpretentious to his core.  He had a deep faith in Christ and a love and devotion to the Blessed Mother. He followed the lives of his 6 children and 16 grandchildren very closely and was extremely proud of all of their academic and athletic achievements.

As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, Jim will be deeply missed by many who had the great pleasure of spending time with him. He was loved by many and genuinely cared for and loved his fellow man.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wed., Sept. 14, 2016 in Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 15 in Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, with interment following in Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery.