Brian D. Shields
Brian D. Shields, 69, of Easton, PA went to be with his lord and savior on March 30, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill, PA.
Born August 16, 1951, in Easton, he was the son of the late John J. Shields and Elizabeth Gamble Shields. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by a son, Kevin D. Shields, who passed on April 17, 1998.
Brian was a member of Laborers Local 472 in Newark, NJ where he was a shop steward. He was the owner of the Castle Inne and Banquet Hall, formerly in Phillipsburg. He was a real estate agent with the Budd Agency in Phillipsburg and an insurance agent with Colonial Life in Easton. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School, Class of 1969, where he wrestled heavyweight. Brian received his associates degree from Northampton Community College, took business courses at Somerset community college and Penn State. Other achievements and honors were: Outstanding Young Men of America Award – 1983, President and Chairman of the Board of Easton & Vicinity Life Underwriters Association, Director of Rotary Club, Phillipsburg, NJ, President and State Director – Phillipsburg Area Jaycees where he received numerous awards for his participation. He was an associate member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was a member of the Allentown Preservation League and enjoyed historical house tours, and the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society. As well as the American Vecturist Association, a member of the Marble Collectors Club, and was president of the Forks of the Delaware Bottle Collectors Club until 2020. He also collected antiques, and Indian artifacts, Thomas Kinkade artwork, and 1000-piece puzzles. He was an avid water-skier and fisherman. His teams were the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Dolphins. He enjoyed scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia as well as traveling to such places as New Zealand, Ireland, England, Canada, Brazil, Jamaica, parasailing in the Bahamas, cruising to various islands in the Caribbean and Hawaii, and many more.
He is survived by his wife, Joanmarie Paulus Amato-Shields. They would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this coming October 26, 2021. Also surviving is his daughter, Susan Patterson and husband Gregory, and his grandchildren: Emily, Gregory, and Kelly, brother John R. Shields and his wife Brenda, nephews Chris and Scott Shields. Step-children are Melynda J. Bright and husband Allen, Jessica L. Bream and husband Timothy, and Jonathon P. Amato and wife Janine, his step-grandchildren: Jaedon and Jalea Bright, Mariana and Xander Amato, and Scarlett and Rilynn Bream, as well as his mother-in-law, Marie Losagio Paulus. Special acknowledgment goes to his former wrestling coach, Thad Turner, and his friends in Phillipsburg.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at the Finegan Funeral Home at 302 Heckman Street in Phillipsburg, NJ from 6-8 pm as well as on Thursday from 10-11 am. The funeral service will be held on Thursday at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 am. The interment will be at the Hays Cemetery in Easton, Pa. Visit wwwfineganfh.com.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Garnet Booster Club, 512 ½ South Main Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865