Jonathon Paige Shea, known affectionately as Jon or Jonny, passed away on August 28, 2024, at the age of 65 in Fayston, Vermont. Born in Montpelier, Vermont, Jon was a lifelong resident of the state he loved and a sixth generation Vermonter.
Jon was a graduate of Montpelier High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Vermont. His professional life was marked by his significant role as vice president at Paige and Campbell Insurance Agency, a company founded by his great-grandfather, Charles Coburn Paige, in 1906, where he also achieved the designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU).
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jon was deeply involved in his community. He served as the chair of the Fayston Development Review Board for many years and was a previous board member of Barre Area Development. He was also a member of the Lake Mansfield Trout Club and served on the Insurance Committee. His community involvement was not only reflective of his areas of expertise, but also his commitment to the growth and development of the state that he loved and a rural way of life.
Jon was characterized by those who knew him as intelligent, proud, adventurous, ambitious, and funny. He cherished the opportunity to meet new people and learn new things and was an avid storyteller. He was known for regaling others with tales of his past adventures. He was an avid biker, hiker, skier, and lover of the outdoors. In his younger years, he went on trail runs up Hedgehog Brook trail to Burnt Rock Mountain, mountain biking, backcountry tele skiing, and cat skiing at Island Lake Lodge in British Columbia.
In his later years, he slowed down a bit and enjoyed long walks to Boyce Forest, hiking and skiing at Mad River Glen, or just sitting peacefully by the Shepard Brook in his backyard on the bench made for him by his son-in-law. He was a big foodie. He loved trading recipes with family members, trying new foods, and was an amazing cook, something he got from his mom who taught him to cook at a young age. His homemade pasta was legendary among friends and family. Everyone had their special requests when coming to dinner at the Shea’s -- trotolle in a cream sauce with ham and peas, pesto pasta made with basil grown in his garden, and, of course, his famous sesame noodles.
He loved traveling. After he graduated from college, he traveled across the country to Aspen, Colorado, where he stayed the winter to ski and then hitchhiked to the Grand Canyon on a camping trip. He traveled all over the world including Costa Rica, the Caribbean, the French Alps, Italy, Scotland, Hong Kong, and even visited his daughter, Caty, while she served in the Peace Corps in rural China on the edge of the Gobi Desert.
He is survived by his daughters, Caitlin “Caty” Shea, her wife Mara-Louise Shea; Kelsey Shea, her husband Kyle Brown, and their young son Cooper James Brown; and siblings Steven, Brenda, Brian, and Lynne Shea. Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Harold "Mike" P. Shea and Claire M. Shea.
Details of a memorial service will be determined and announced at a later date. Jon's life and legacy will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
Arrangements are in the care of Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street in Barre.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.pruneaupollifuneralhome.com
