Formerly of Bowdon (1949–1958), Long Prairie, Minnesota, and most recently Spring Park, Minnesota, Paul passed away 5/28/22. His wife of 69 years, Gerry, a native of Bowdon, preceded him in death. Paul celebrated his 94 ^th birthday on 2/22/22.

Born in Lime Springs, Iowa, he served in the 11 ^th Airborne (paratrooper) Division in Japan 1946–48. Upon returning to civilian life, Paul was farming 480 acres north of Bowdon when he met Gerry while seeking machinery repair work from her brother, Marcus. Following their marriage in Sykeston, they remained on Paul's farmstead, Gerry began her career as an elementary teacher at Cottonwood School and they had their oldest two children.

Paul left farming to finish his B.S. degree at North Dakota State University in Fargo, joining Minnesota Power & Light in Long Prairie in 1961 as an agricultural engineer. He was a published freelance writer and photographer on the side, with frequent bylines in The Farmer , Hoard's Dairyman , Farm Building News , Successful Farming and Outdoors magazines.

Paul proudly designed and built his family's home, the "Energy Miser," whose energy-saving features, building techniques and appliances were decades ahead of their time. After retiring in 1983, Paul, a Minnesota Certified Energy Auditor, independently audited houses and apartment complexes.

Retirement reignited his interest and involvement in 11 ^th Airborne activities. Paul attended reunions and air shows, and helped research author Bruce Henderson's book "Rescue at Los Baños."

An avid fisherman, Paul led fly-in trips to Canada as "Honourable Guide." He retrieved aluminum cans for recycling, only half joking that the proceeds paid his youngest daughter and grandson's college tuitions. He belonged to the Long Prairie Lions Club and a poker club, and taught ballroom dancing with Gerry through community ed.

Preceded in death by Gerry; parents William and Viola Shea; and brother Tom Shea. Survivors include son David Shea of Waconia, Minnesota; daughters Peg Shea (Joshua Weinstein) of Watertown, Minnesota, and Kitty Shea of Minnetrista, Minnesota; grandson Charley Hagen of Duluth, Minnesota; and sisters Helen Hoffbeck of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Anne Salter of London, Ontario.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held in July at Presbyterian Homes' Lake Minnetonka Shores senior living complex in Spring Park, with later interment at the Heaton Cemetery.

Memorials in Paul's honor may be made to Let's Go Fishing at https://lgfws.com/support-lgf/ or 1025 – 19 ^th Ave. SW, Willmar, MN 56201.