In Memoriam

Alexander J. Shields, 86

1936-2023

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Alexander J. Shields, 86, passed away on January 9, 2023 at home with his loving wife by his side.
He was born in Oneonta on October 2, 1936.

Alex is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara A. Shields; a daughter, Ursula (Ralph) Thompson of Canandaigua, and their three children and four great-grandchildren; sons Gregory of Albany and Christopher of Washington, D.C.; stepchildren Harvey (Evonne) Elliott of Oak Hall, Virginia and their three children, and Charles (Mary Lou) Elliott of Binghamton, their nine children and six grandchildren.

He is also survived by nephew and nieces Lewis (Joann) Shields, Oneonta; Patty (Michael) Audino, Albany; Maureen (Chris) Reed, Glenville; Brenda (Ray) Laselle, Chilliwack, British Columbia and W. Richard Tuch of Ottawa, Ontario.

He was predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Alexandria Shields; brothers James Shields, William (Mary) Shields, Kenneth (Margaret) Shields; and step-son Michael Elliott.

Alex received an AAS Business Administration degree from SUNY Delhi and a BS from SUNY Oneonta. His first job was at an Oneonta grocery store delivering groceries. He also worked for Bendix in Sidney.

Alex joined the Air Force at age 18. He went on to Richfield Springs Post 616 as county commander and color guard. He was involved with the Otschodela Council Boy Scouts as troop leader. Alex was president and state director of the Jaycees in Oneonta, involved with the Junior Chamber of Commerce in Oneonta, PTO president of an Oneonta elementary school, director of mental health for Otsego County, master mason for the Shriners Lodge 482 in Richfield Springs, and Cooperstown Masonic group Eastern Star District lecturer.

Other affiliations include: Rotary International; Mohawk Valley World Trade Council; Lions Club Richfield Springs; Rod and Gun Club, Richfield Springs; Richfield Springs Sportsman’s Club; Richfield Springs Grange; Otsego County Representative (District 9) for 10 years; Otsego County Solid Waste Board; Southern Tier East Regional Planning Board; 1991 Otsego County Bicentennial chair; Natural Gas Study in Otsego County; Otsego County Feasibility Study; Otsego County Development; MOSA County Waste Authority Board; glass recycling in Oneonta; and chairman of the committee for Bassett’s Richfield Springs clinic. Alex was very active in Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown.
He liked to share his life experiences to help others, especially mentoring young adults.

His final resting place will be in a Columbarium Wall at Christ Episcopal Church, Cooperstown.

A celebration of life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, 69 Fair Street, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

All are invited to a lunch following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Richfield Youth Sports Inc., PO Box 458, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Contributions also appreciated to your local hospice or a charity of your choice.