November 9, 1937 — March 19, 2025
Peter Allen Shields made his quiet last stand at home on March 19th, 2025, at age 87, having lived a full and accomplished life, with a wicked sense of humor spurred on by Monty Python/Mel Brooks films, and a mind that was a “raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.” He came into life as the second son of the late John Ramsay Shields and Katherine Allen Shields on November 9th, 1937 in Troy NY. Growing up during the era of depression gave him the MacGyver instinct to tinker, stretching a dollar, and put in the hard work to accomplish goals. While growing up he and his brother William (Bill) enjoyed clashing with each other while also partnering up to torture their younger sister Catherine (Kitty Peg) as seen in such instances as leaving messages on the chimney of their house proclaiming their sister a “dum dum.”
Stories from his childhood were close to legendary, especially when it came to sports, cars and food. Stories that have been passed down through the generations described a methodical eater that could work through an amazing amount of food. Case in point, ever the frugal spender, he took a coupon for cheesecake to a local wholesaler whose minimum order was six cheesecakes. With six full cheesecakes in hand, he ate his way through all six in one sitting while sitting in his car. Throughout his school years, he blossomed as an athlete in swimming, golf, track and football. Golf became his go-to sport and he earned the title of Junior Champion at his local golf club. His teenage and college years were all about working on cars, sneaking out with his parents’ cars, and drag racing cars. Ford became the car brand that caught his eye and car lover heart and led to his entrance into local and National car clubs and collecting two seater Thunderbird convertibles.
Adulthood would see him with a lumberjack level full beard and a confident air with which he charmed his first wife Maryanne Novack. This union was blessed with his two oldest children, Margaret and Douglas. Though Maryanne and Peter eventually went their separate ways, they were both dedicated to giving their children the best upbringing they could. Back on the market, he met his second wife Patricia while on the job at Honeywell. The “classic” story of dislike turning into admiration turning into love was the name of the game with this love story. It took a bit to woo Patricia, but once won, a partnership of almost 51 years began. Patricia and Peter welcomed another two children, Heather and Elizabeth.
In his prime, he could be seen cutting the lawn while still in his suit and tie from his engineering job, having a pocketful of dog treats for all the neighborhood dogs, and impressing youngsters at Honeywell Open House with liquid nitrogen tricks. Halloween became his hallmark holiday with Christmas being a close second. He took his candy giver duties very seriously and made sure his house was one kids would remember with handmade decorations, unexpected scare and candy delivery tactics, and costumes created from scratch. Christmas would bring trips to tree farms to find the perfect tree to cut and bring home, midnight masses, and epic snow sculpture creations.
He was a firm supporter of his children’s pursuits, whether the dream seemed far flung or not. To anyone who would listen, he would praise his children and make sure they knew he was “well pleased” with each and every one. He was the proud papa of three grandsons, Stephen, Gerardo, and Tyler, and a granddaughter, Julia, as well as a new great grandfather to Luke. He was a beloved uncle to his brother’s children Kristina and John (Jack), his sister’s children Catherine and John Edward, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s son Christopher. He may now, once again, be driving his parents crazy, getting into trouble with his siblings, all of whom predeceased him, and spoiling rotten all the dogs in heaven.
Funeral from the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street READING on Monday, March 31st at 930am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Peter’s Eternal Life in Saint Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street READING at 10:30am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Peter’s Family on Sunday, March 30th from 1-5pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator are available.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to further research on all forms of dementia and to Baypath Humane Society or Northeast Animal Shelter. Both links can be found below,
For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome
