Thomas M. Shea

Thomas M. Shea of Tamaqua, died Sunday, February 9th at the Lehigh Valley Hospice Center in Allentown, PA. He was 58 years old. Tom was the son of the late Thomas J. Shea who died in 1994 and Ardith C. Haiges Shea who died in 2011. He was a 1973 graduate of Tamaqua High School where he was an accomplished member of the high school swim team. After graduation, Tom attended the Pennsylvania State University and received a BA in Psychology with a minor in Russian History in 1977. The following year, he received a Master of Education in Counselor Education from his alma mater. He held a guidance counselor certification in Pennsylvania and New York State. He was of the Lutheran faith. Tom’s commitment to education was reflected in his professional experiences. He began his long career as a Guidance Counselor at Tyrone Area High School. From there he went on to become an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at PSU Hazleton; Admissions Counselor I and II at PSU, University Park. In 1985, he was named Associate Director of Admissions & Director of the Volunteer Admissions Network and in 1990 the Director of International & Transfer Admissions at the University of Rochester in New York. After his tenure in New York, Tom was the Director of Enrollment Management at Maryland University College at Schwabisch, Gmund, Germany. In 1997, he moved back to the states and became an Independent Educational Consultant & Counselor with the University of Maryland. In 2000, he was the University Director of International & Graduate Admissions at Fairleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck, NJ. Tom’s last position before retiring was as the International Admissions Consultant at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, and as Director of Foreign Students for Florida Institute of Technology. During his undergraduate and graduate days at PSU, Tom held graduate and teaching assistantships in Russian History, Introductory to Psychology, Educational Psychology and Sociology. He was fluent in German and had reading knowledge of Russian and Dutch. He was a member of the American Psychological Association, Council for the Advancement & Support of Education, Council of International Schools, Iota Alpha Delta, Pennsylvania Association and National Association of College Admissions Counselors, National Association of Foreign Student Advisors and the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals. Among his many honors, in 1988 he was the Gold Medal Winner of the Best Alumni Program Nationwide for the University of Rochester’s Volunteer Admissions Network. Tom is survived by his sister Terri and her husband, Craig Dillman of Tamaqua; and Lori and her husband, Andrew Ryan of Tamaqua. During his illness, Terri and Craig were his caregivers assisted by Lori and Andrew. His brother, Christopher Shea. His nieces, Nicole, Heather, Laura and Jennifer; his nephews, Matthew and Robert; his great nieces, Ellyana and Sophia; and his great nephews, Nicholas and Mason, will miss Tom. A Memorial Service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at the E. Franklin Grifffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., on Friday, February 14th at 6 PM. The Rev. Marjorie Keiter to officiate. Memorial Contributions to the American Cancer Society 101 West Frack Street Frackville, Pa. 17931. His interment will be at the convenience of the family. Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com