Thomas Anthony “Turk” Shields of Richboro passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 11, 2015.  He was 52. 

Tom was the beloved husband of 14 years to Susanne McGovern.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the eldest son of Berenice McCulliss Shields of Philadelphia and the late Thomas A. Shields.

In addition to his wife and his mother, Tom is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Shields (Ben Hibbs), Maura, Kerri, and Rianna Shields; his granddaughter, Emmy Hibbs; and his siblings, Judy Leighton (Jack) of Huntingdon Valley, Andy Shields (Cathy) of Harleysville, Ed Shields (Rebecca) of Chalfont, Jean Sitler (Bob) of Chalfont, Bernie Shields (Elena) of Ivyland and Marty Shields (Kate) of Fort Washington. He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews and friends who loved him dearly.

Tom was a proud graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School (Class of 1980) and Moravian College (Class of 1984). While at both Ryan and Moravian, Tom was a passionate and disciplined member of their respective soccer teams, performing as a goaltender. He passionately followed his love for soccer beyond his own playing days, offering his services as a coach and referee. In addition to coaching multiple teams of various ages and expertise, Turk was a dedicated member of the Eastern PA & District Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association for more than three decades. During his time as a coach and a referee, he shared not only his skill and knowledge of the game, but also instilled the values of sportsmanship, discipline, and determination as equally important components of being a successful member of a team. Whether coaching a five-year-old girl or 21-year-old man, Tom demanded tough but fair play taught the importance of endurance and inspired those under his guidance to push further than they ever thought they could.

His integrity carried into his professional life. Tom was a member of IBEW Local 98 for more than 25 years, proudly spending the end of his career as a superintendent at Sunlight Electrical Contracting Company.

In his down time, Tom enjoyed life’s simple pleasures with the loves of his life -- his wife, daughters and granddaughter. Whether putting his feet in the sand on the beaches of Wildwood; taking a morning walk with his faithful four-legged companion, Billy; spending time in the kitchen cooking; or watching boxing while enjoying chicken wings and a cold Budweiser, Tom seemed to know that the secret to a happy life is much simpler than the rest of the world seems to make it. His family is so grateful for having him as teacher and leader, showing every day that respect, happiness, love and family are the core of a life well-lived. Every moment spent with him was truly a moment worthwhile; the only thing anybody could have asked for was more time.

Relatives and friends are invited to Tom’s viewings on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 PM and Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 9:00 – 10:15 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd., Richboro, PA 18954 and to his Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, PA 18966. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75817, Topeka, KS 66675.