Obituary of Matthew T. Shea

Matthew T. Shea of Halfmoon died peacefully on October 11, 2023, from pancreatic cancer, with his loving wife Nilda by his side.

Matt was born on July 9, 1944, in Cohoes and lived his early life there. As a child he moved with his family to Halfmoon, and spent the rest of his life there in his family home. 

He was a graduate of Shenendehowa high school, and graduated with a degree in electric technology from HVCC.

Matt worked in the electronics lab at GE Research and Development in Schenectady, and at Espy Manufacturing and Electronics in Saratoga for many years.

In the 70's Matt was part of an innovative traveling light show, they performed at concerts and nightclubs all around New York state and beyond, they traveled in a van and there are a few stories of breakdowns and questionable late night drives. 

Among his many creative pursuits, Matt was also a potter and made beautiful pottery, he had several pottery wheels and a kiln on his property. 

Matt lived an amazing full life, he loved people, always meeting them with a smile and a positive attitude. He had so many friends near and far, and was known for his kindness, intelligence and keen wit. He was loyal and devoted to people in his life, especially to his wife Nilda. Matt had a gift for making friends, always ready to meet new people and exchange stories, he was always ready to drop everything in order to help a friend out. 

Matt always had a joke that would make you laugh, or groan, but they were always funny, and he always had one. He was lighthearted, had an infectious laugh and loved to laugh.

Matt had an adventuresome spirit, and took advantage of every opportunity to explore the unknown by traveling and meeting people, which led to his stories. Matt was a great storyteller and had many stories to share; riding across the desert in India on a camel, scorpions falling on him in Belize, adventures in Thailand, travels to Mount Everest base camp, and travels in the Philippines, the home of his beloved wife Nilda.

Matt also shared many stories of his beloved father, whom he worked with doing road work and construction in his early years, and cared for and lived with after his mother died. There were also Uncle Mattie stories, his favorite uncle, who sounded like quite a character!

Matt was an avid bicyclist, in the past few years he discovered and enjoyed electric bicycles. He also had quite a collection of mountain bikes and road bikes too. For over a decade in the 80's and 90's he led a popular weekly bike ride and pot luck dinner from his home in Halfmoon. He shared his mechanical skills by collecting and fixing up bikes that came his way, and then giving them away to anyone who needed one. 

He received the June 2023 proclamation by the town of Halfmoon for his tireless volunteer work over the years in building bicycle trails in the town and in the Vischers Ferry nature preserve. 

Matt left behind the love of his life, his wife Nilda, they met by chance, fell in love, and were married for 16 years. Her loving care helped him through his illness.

Matt was predeceased by his parents, James A. Shea and Margaret (Jette) Shea, as well as 2 brothers, Francis (Frank) in 1985, and James in 2009. 

He is survived by nephews Kevin Shea and Francis Shea, and niece Erin Shea.

Matt will be greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Calling Hours on Monday, October 16, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065.

Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on October 18, 2023 in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford.

Nilda would like to express her most sincere appreciation to Community Hospice for their compassionate care and assistance that was provided.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, in memory of Matthew T. Shea.

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