Thomas Patrick Shields : Short Biography

References

USA

Thomas Patrick Shields 1906

Clonbur (Galway) County Galway

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Place of migration

Migrated to/Born in USA

In 1975, Tommy was mugged by a gang outside of his Jamaica Plan (Boston) home, ending his career as a broadcaster. Sadly, Tommy spent his remaining years in a nursing home in Braintree, MA until his death in 1979. According to the FBI, the crime rate in Boston in 1975 was 30% higher than the national average. It was a time of great racial tension in the city, where whites and blacks were constantly at odds over the the controversial decision to implement school desegregation.

Attachment	Size
1975Carson Beachriots.jpg (38.69 KB)	38.69 KB

Additional Information
Date of Birth	12th Feb 1906	VIEW SOURCE
Date of Death	31st Oct 1979	VIEW SOURCE
Father (First Name/s and Surname)	Thomas Shields	VIEW SOURCE
Mother (First Name/s and Maiden)	Nora Walsh
Townland born	Boston, MA. U.S.A.
Occupation	Tailor and Musician. Also worked as an Tourguide for groups traveling from Boston to Ireland.
Names of Siblings	Katherine Shields	VIEW SOURCE

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Comments

My records show his middle name as Francis, not P. The birthday I have for him agrees with what you have. Find-a-grave has his birthday as 12 Aug 1905 in Boston, and death date as 5 May 1965 in Jaffrey NH, where he is buried, with wife Margaret Louise (nee Galligan), 8 Oct 1904 - 15 Jun 1982. Is this the same person?

rkeyes

Friday 6th April 2018 07:09PM

Hi there - I am just seeing your reply. I think you may have picked up the wrong Tom. I was born in 1964, and do remember him, and remember visiting with him in Marshfield during the summers. He was the long standing host of "The Irish Hour" radio broadcast in Boston, and according to the website of the current program it was hosted by Tommy until his death in 1974. Here is a link http://www.wunr.com/program/ProgramDetail.aspx?ProgramID=42

Novagirl

Thursday 7th June 2018 02:22PM

Bob,

I have added a photo of Tommy Shields as well as a URL to his US draft card which shows his middle name to be Patrick. My grandmother, Katherine Mahon was Tom's sister and contact referenced on the draft card.

Kerry

Novagirl

Friday 29th January 2021 08:40PM

The draft card is from October 16, 1940

Novagirl

Friday 29th January 2021 08:42PM

There is a memorial to Tommy in the Mount Benedict Cemetery in Boston, Mass that reads "Whose nightly radio program "The Irish Hour" 1949-1975 Did much to foster in the hearts and minds of his listeners the culture and heritage of Ireland."