Friday, March 2nd, 1934 – Friday, July 23rd, 2021
Well played, Toby.
John “Toby” William Shea, 87, of Warren, Pa., died on Friday, July 23rd, 2021, peacefully in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Clarendon, Pennsylvania on Friday, March 2nd, 1934, to William Shea and Eleanor Wycoff Shea. Toby graduated from Warren Area High School in 1953 and was offered a football scholarship to the Pennsylvania State University where he attended for one academic year. After leaving Penn State, Toby enlisted in the United States Army, serving two years during the Korean War. During this time, he was stationed in Marysville, California and El Paso, Texas. Upon leaving the Army, he enrolled at Lock Haven State College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. Following graduation from Lock Haven, Toby accepted a teaching and coaching position at Johnsonburg High School. After settling in the teaching profession, Toby went back to school at Indiana University, Bloomington where he obtained his Masters of Science in Health and Safety in 1965. Toby left Johnsonburg to accept a teaching and coaching position at Youngsville High School in 1963. During his time at Youngsville High School, Toby led the Eagles to back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1965 and 1966. While coaching at Youngsville, Toby met the love of his life, Susan Orbanic and they were married July 15th, 1967. Following this successful era at Youngsville, Shea accepted the position to coach the Warren Dragons Football team in 1967. Toby coached the Dragons until 1984, compiling a record of 117-55-3. The highlight of his coaching career came in 1976 when the Dragons went undefeated and finished fourth in the Commonwealth. In addition to coaching football, Toby coached softball and track during his time at Warren High School. His teaching and coaching profession concluded when he retired from the Warren County School District in 1993. He along with all of his football coaches, were instrumental and founding members of the Warren Sports Boosters. In his retirement, Toby served two terms on the Warren County Board of School Directors from 1997 until 2005. In 1999, Toby was inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Toby was an avid outdoorsman, a lifetime member of the Kalbfus Club, and loved raising his hunting dogs. Most of all, Toby enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren in their many activities. He loved the thrill of watching them thrive in their sports and they dropped everything and drove many miles to be present for it all.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Susan Orbanic Shea, a daughter Jennifer Shea Wortman (David) of Warren, Pa., and a son Tobin Shea (Nicole Blakeslee) of Los Feliz, California. He is also survived by five grandchildren, John, Luke, Megan, Grace, and Isabel Wortman. Lastly are his two loyal dogs, Toby and Nellie. John was proceeded in death by his parents, William and Eleanor Wycoff Shea, his daughter Kathleen Shea, his sisters Eleanor “Billie” Hartwig and Georgianna Shea. Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 P.M A Mass of Christian Burial will be con-celebrated Thursday, July 29, 2021, at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA. at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Richard Tomasone, Pastor, officiating, and Fr. Stephen Schreiber, Pastor of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, concelebrating. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of the Ascension in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery. Those wishing to submit e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Warren Sports Boosters, Warren Lions Club, St. Joseph Church Educational Center Fund or Holy Redeemer Church Building Fund.
Coach Shea was my mentor and friend. My deepest of condolences go out to Sue and the families during this sad time.
Coach Shea was my husband Jim olson’s hero. He taught Jimmie about life, sports, and commitment.
He will be truly missed.
I’m so sorry for your loss here was an amazing man, no matter when our where you saw him he always had time to stop and talk a bit. Your family will be in my prayers
Honors and dedications are filled with good guys but Toby Shea was, to me, at the pinnacle of really good guys. Toby’s father, Bill, was of the exact same caliber and was the local policeman in Clarendon when I grew up there. Toby would sometimes walk up to the gravel school yard to play with us younger guys. He was always kind and never seemed to forget where he came from, when I met him again some 45 years later. He always had time for you and was earnestly interested. I’m sure all the Kalbfus guys will miss his friendship – along with all the other lives he touched. Rest in peace Toby.
Shea Family: Our condolences to you. My father & mother, especially my dad, worked with Mr. Shea in the district for many years. I never knew him as anything but Mr. Shea! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I got to know Toby on our yearly trips to Notrw Dame. He was one who always laughed at my stories and such a nice guy. R.I.P. Toby you were Warren’s best Coach.
A tremendous coach and tremendous man. He was such a positive influence on both my brother and I. He had an ability to bring out the best in his players and coaches and is certainly the finest coach Warren has ever seen. Our condolences to his family and God bless his soul.
Toby was a remarkable person. I don’t think I felt it as strongly, than when he came to my Mother’s wake to offer his sympathies. Little things mean so much.
So sad to hear of your loss. Best coach ever. So many life lessons learned from him and his willingness to invest in the lives others. A great loss. Thanks for sharing him.
Coach Shea, Mr. Shea, Toby… I had the honor of knowing him as a mentor and later as a hunting partner. I learned more from his responses to Life than any library could hold.
My sincere condolences to the Shea family. Coach Shea was a superb man in every way.
He was an uplifting influence on all of us who he touched. He leaves a lasting and positive impact on his community. He earned and deserves the highest complement for a man of his upbringing. He was a true downhomer.
The world was a much better place with coach Shea in it. As my football and track coach, I have vivid and inspirational memories of his laser focus on getting better and being a better person. Although I haven’t seen coach Shea in many years, he has and always will be in my thoughts. Sincerest condolences to the Shea family.
Coach Shea was a person who made me a stronger man and to this day, those skills and values he gave me ring true. Thank you for everything Coach Shea !!!
My sincere condolences to Toby’s family. It was a pleasure to have worked with Toby at Camp Cherry Tree in the 1970s. He was such a kind and gentle person. Rest in peace Toby.
I have few words that haven’t already been said about a man who touched the lives of thousands of people. Coach Shea gave of himself to others in the most humble of ways. Attending the services of my parents and brothers, he will always hold a special place in my heart personally. I choose to think of him still on the sidelines or riding the mower at Jackson Valley Golf course. May we all live such glorious lives.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Coach Shea was a person blessed with the ability to push people to be their best. As my football coach and driving instructor he created a great work ethic in me that still runs strong today.
Several years ago he heard that I would be in Warren and wanted to meet with me. It was such a pleasant surprise that he remembered me. I’d been a football player of his, certainly not a very good one & never a starter. We did meet, talking about football and life. That day Mr. Shea gave me a compliment that I needed to hear & it touched my heart…. “John, you never quit giving it your best at football and life, when others would have given up. That’s rare, I admire that….and wanted to tell you that in person.”
To the entire Shea family, may fond memories of the past be with you in the days ahead. God Bless, John Jay Callen.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I always liked Mr. Shea. I remember him from high school. I graduated with Kathy Shea. I liked her too.