Obituary of John Mathew Shields

John Mathew Shields, age 66, of Lake Placid, NY died Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Horace Nye Home in Elizabethtown, NY. Mr. Shields was born March 20, 1947 in Utica, NY. He is the son of the late James Redmond Shields, Sr. and the late Edith (Oakley) Shields. John was a graduate of Canastota High School, Canastota, NY and Morrisville State College, Morrisville, NY. He served in the New York, Army National Guard from January 1969 to November 1974 receiving his honorable discharge as Staff Sargent-E6. John was a licensed pilot and loved the freedom he felt when he piloted an airplane, he loved the Adirondack Mountains; especially Lake Placid, NY and his beloved feline family, Patrick, Scooter, Michael and Kitten. Prior to moving to Lake Placid, NY John was owner and operator of an advertising agency in Syracuse, NY where he developed the skill to follow his passion to convert and restore vintage, historic Winter Olympic film and news footage to DVD format and could be seen riding his mountain bike around the Lake Placid, NY area sharing stories and distributing the DVD.s he produced. John is survived by his sister, Barbara DeBalso of Oneida, NY along with many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his Lake Placid Flower and Gift family who loved him like a brother and dear friend. He worked and played with the whole crew and loved the shop kitty, Cooper, like his own. Every day he would come and sit with Coopie on his lap while chatting with the girls. He volunteered his time to shovel snow, decorate the shop with his beautiful arrangements of Christmas lights. He was also close with all those who worked at the Lake Placid Library. We all miss him terribly but know he is at rest now. He was predeceased by his parents, James R. Shields, Sr. and Edith (Oakley) Shields; his sister and brother-in-law, Regina J. and Harold Bohling; his brother and sister in law, James R. Jr. and Lasca Shields. There are no calling hours. A private service with family and friends will be held to celebrate John's life at the convenience of the family. The M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY is in charge of arrangements. The family of John M. Shields wishes to thank his wonderful friends in Lake Placid, NY for their exceptional care and love. Friends and relatives are invited to "light a candle" and share a memory at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .