Daniel Shea

Daniel Joseph Shea, Esq., 82, passed away at home in Houston on Sunday, April 19, 2026, following a long and complicated illness. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on December 21, 1943, he was the son of the late Daniel J. Shea, Sr. and Antoinette L. (Remillard) Shea.

After attending high school in Providence, Dan joined the US Navy, entering the Nuclear Submarine Service where he rose through the ranks to become a nuclear reactor operator. Following discharge, he attended Boston College and later was employed for a number of years in a variety of positions in the nuclear power industry in the southeast. Following his heart, Dan eventually moved to Europe to attend seminary at the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium where he was ordained a Deacon. He unexpectedly returned to Rhode Island following the untimely death of his sister and ultimately left the church to again consult in the nuclear industry in Houston

Dan began to practice law in 1990 after graduating from the South Texas College of Law. The major focus of his practice over the years was defending victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, often in a very frank and intense manner. His Louvain theological education was of great benefit to him in representing his clients.

Dan was the brother of Gaele S. Anderson of Fayetteville, GA, and the late Eileen P. Payne. In addition to his sister, he is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and cousins and several close friends and professional colleagues.

A memorial service will be held in Rhode Island at a later date with internment at the RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Persons wishing to make memorial contributions in Dan’s memory may contact the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10306, or their charity of choice.

The family wishes to thank the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston for the compassionate care provided to Dan over the years.