Edward ‘Ed’ Thomas Shine, Jr., 90, passed away on June 2, 2016 at Saint Luke’s Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., at the Redemptorist Fathers’ Catholic Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO, where friends may call from Noon to 1:00. Commitment of ashes in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO immediately following Mass.
Ed, the son of Edward T. Shine and Ellen M. O’Brien, immigrants from Athea and Adare, County Limerick, Ireland, was born on September 23, 1925 in Kansas City. He was the great, grand-nephew of the Rev. John J. Hogan, first Bishop of the Kansas City/St. Joseph Diocese. A lifelong member of Redemptorist parish, he attended Redemptorist Grade School, and graduated from Westport High School in 1942.
From 1943 to 1946, Ed served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, caring for the wounded in Army hospitals in Belgium and France during the European Conflict of World War II. Thereafter, he completed Officer Candidacy Training School, achieving the rank of Air Force 2nd Lieutenant, and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until 1949. Ed received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Kansas in 1949. He then spent his career as an accountant, first for the Airplane Division of the Fairfax General Motors Plant for several years, and, thereafter, for the City of Kansas City, Mo. Finance Department/Revenue Division from 1956 until his retirement in 1989. During his tenure with the City, he served as City Treasurer for intermittent periods.
Ed was a member of the American Legion – Connie Burns Post, and the Forty & Eight Society for past commanders of American Legion Posts. For over 25 years, he volunteered his accounting services to the Redemptorist Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and weekly delivered groceries to needy families. In addition, as a grateful Veteran of the Greatest Generation, he served as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army in an attempt at repayment for the kindnesses bestowed upon his comrades and him during the War.
Ed married Mary Catherine O’Donnell on June 21, 1952, and together they raised a son and five daughters, enjoying a blissful 64 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Aileen Elizabeth Shine, infant siblings, John Joseph, and Mary Elizabeth; and grandson, Michael John Reid.
Ed will be remembered by his loving wife, Mary Catherine Shine, of the home; his sister-in-law, Joan E. O’Donnell, Mission, KS; his children: Cathleen A. Shine and husband, John C. Reid, Peculiar, MO; Maureen Theresa Shine; Mary Margaret ‘Maggie’ Shine; and Edmund Timothy ‘Ned’ Shine, all of Kansas City; Patricia ‘Patti’ Shine DeWalt of Leawood, KS. and friend, Will Henrichson; and Bridget Jane Shine Gallaway and husband Scott A. Gallaway, Falls Church, VA; his grandchildren: Emily A. Reid; Erin E. DeWalt and fiancé Joseph Sturm; Catherine M. DeWalt; Caroline G. Mendus; Victoria S. Gallaway; Thomas A. Gallaway; and Lorelei Rose Gallaway; Frederick A. Mendus and wife, Amy M. Mendus, Amelia L. Mendus and fiancé Patrick J. Allegri, his great-grandchildren, Sophia G. Mendus, Henry E. Mendus and Finnegan C. Mendus; his niece Patty O’Donnell Jurado (Ed), and his grand-niece, Isabella Jurado.
Ed was an avid reader, an historical raconteur, accomplished carpenter, brewer, and fisherman. You could always find him behind the newspaper or reading the latest N.Y. Times bestseller. Ed had a brilliant, logical mind, with little use for minutia, but only facts and “the evidence”. After any family outing, vacation fishing trip, a day at the pool, or, for no reason at all, we could always count on Dad to take us out for ice cream. Ed, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa, we love you, and we will always miss your unconditional love and guidance, your cogent advice, and most of all, your endearingly dry Irish wit.
Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to the Redemptorist Fathers’ Church or the Redemptorist Social Services Center.
What a wonderful life and the beautiful legacy of his family. My condolences to the entire Shine family.
What a beautiful beautiful tribute to a wonderful husband,father, grandfather, great gradfather. Mr. Shine was a brilliant man, a friend to many. What a great gift to the world for so many years!
We are so sorry for your loss.
Rita and Jim Berry