George M. Shields, Jr.

West Warren - George Maxwell Shields Jr., 93, passed on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at home amongst his loving family.

He leaves his three children, a daughter-in-law and granddaughter, his brother Patrick and two sisters-in-law, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. George was predeceased by his wife, Norma (Beck) Shields in 2009. He was born in East Gary, Indiana, to Hazel and George Maxwell Shields, Sr.

George volunteered for the Army Specialized Training Program in August 1945, and after training, by December 1946 he was serving in Japan as part of the occupation forces. He signed a waiver and travelled to Hiroshima witnessing the destruction.  He was honorably discharged upon returning to the United States and entered U.S. Army Reserves, known as “The Ready Reserves”, serving until 1954.

He attended MIT graduating in 1952 with a degree in Business and Engineering Administration.   He worked for Proctor and Gamble as a time & motion study engineer from 1952-1955 in Quincy.  He began working for a small steel fabrication company, CPC Engineering, in Sturbridge, first as an engineer, then night-shift foreman, day shift foreman and then plant superintendent.  

A blind date with Norma Beck changed his life forever. They married in September 1957 and purchased a non-working dairy farm on Gilbert Road in West Warren, Massachusetts.  George worked for CPC in Sturbridge until the economic downturn of 1971.  After that he began a 120-mile daily commute to Framingham Welding & Engineering Corp in Framingham, holding positions in quotations (sales); maintenance engineer; construction liaison and then purchasing agent before retiring in 1993 at age 65.

Norma and George raised three children, Naomi Shields, San Antonio, TX; Tracey S. Mazur (m. L. Mazur - d.2002), Warren; George M. Shields III, Warrenton, Georgia. (m. Cindy [Holt], daughter Avery).

He loved Norma and his family, his home and friends, his dog Tufor, the residents and history of Warren, and The Flag of the United States.  He is remembered for his sense of humor, kindness and many interests that included reading, playing tennis, golfing with best friend (Lew Ayers) and the Dagnabets, learning about Warren’s history, enjoying Swedish smorgasbords, journaling and writing humorous poems.  His favorite sayings: “make it do, use it up or do without.” and “the most underdeveloped territory is located under your hat.”

George served the Town of Warren for over 30 years with positions on the School Committee, Warren Public Library board, Finance Committee, finishing with the Board of Assessors. Both Norma and George were generous with their time and believed strongly in service to their community.

A Graveside Service for George and Norma will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 1:30PM in the Pine Grove Cemetery in warren.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The West Warren Public Library, P.O. Box 369, West Warren, MA 01092 or The Warren Public Library, P.O. Box 937, Warren, MA 01083.

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc. 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting his family with arrangements. 

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of George M. Shields, Jr., please visit our Tree Store.