LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Alton J. Shea upon the occasion of
celebrating his 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate and
recognize certain milestones celebrated by citizens of this great Nation
and Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and full in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Alton J. Shea of Fillmore, New York, upon the occasion of celebrat-
ing his 100th Birthday; and
WHEREAS, Alton J. Shea was born at home on January 11, 1914, in
Winchester, Ontario, Canada, to Adam and Maude Shea; he attended grade
school in Ottawa, Canada; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Alton J. Shea attended
Houghton College from 1932 to 1936; he then attended Biblical Seminary
in New York City before moving to Gates, New York, to pastor a church
from 1937 to 1942; it was there that he met and married the love of his
life, Aileen Ortlin, on June 17, 1938; and
WHEREAS, During the 1950s and 1960s, Alton J. Shea served several
local area congregations as an Interim or Associate Pastor; he moved his
family to Wellsville in 1956 where, in addition to ministering for the
Wellsville Brookside Wesleyan Church from 1956 to 1970 and part-time in
Alfred, he spent 13 years broadcasting on the radio for Wellsville, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Alton J. Shea then spent seven years in radio production and
general missionary work in Gbendembu, Sierra Leone, West Africa, with
the Wesleyan Church from 1970 to 1977; in the 1980s, his calling took
him traveling as an Ambassador with his wife on church missions that
took the couple to Canada, New England, Iowa, and Florida; and
WHEREAS, In the 1990s, Alton J. Shea was a guest minister in Franklin-
ville, Castile, Higgins, Short Tract, and Bishopville churches, all of
which are located in New York; he also served as pastor for the Oramel
United Methodist Church from 1993 to 1998; and
WHEREAS, Alton J. Shea and his wife, Aileen, together raised three
children, Jonathan, Eila, and Paul; they have been further blessed with
five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Alton J. Shea is a proficient carpenter, mechanic, plumber,
and gardener; he also enjoys playing the trumpet, trombone, and autoharp
as well as singing and directing choirs; his interests include: book
binding, playing hockey, making toboggan slides, and upholstering; and
WHEREAS, Alton J. Shea is known by his family, friends, and the commu-
nity as a faithful prayer warrior, an artist's spouse, a devoted family
man, and a constant reader of the Bible; and
WHEREAS, This beloved man has enriched the lives of those around him
through his smile, jubilance, faith in God, and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor the lives of beloved citizens who have reached a remark-
able age and who have witnessed and celebrated the innovations, cultural
developments, and awesome achievements of this country during the last
century; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Alton J. Shea upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th
Birthday; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Alton J. Shea.