DEEARL JOSEPH SHIELDS was born in Saint Catherine, Jamaica on April 10, 1949 to Etta and Wilfred Shields. He was the sixth of ten children.
He was an electrician by profession and also taught the trade for nine years at different schools in Jamaica.
Upon migrating to the United States, he secured a job with Consolidated Edison Company, better known as Con-Ed, where he was a loyal employee for twenty one years. Throughout his career he was promoted through the ranks. His last position was that of engineering inspector.
Earl married Elaine Haber in 2007, and as a family they moved to Beacon, New York in the summer of 2009. This was the happiest time of Earl's life, not because he was now exempt from his frequent, lengthy trips to another country, but because he was overjoyed to finally have his family close to him. He was even more grateful to be thriving in his career, never complaining about having to wake up at 4 a.m. every morning in order to beat the morning traffic from Beacon to Westchester on his way to work.
In the summer of 2010, Earl became ill and was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or more casually Lou Gehrig's disease. His fight with the disease was long, frustrating and physically and emotionally draining for both him and his family. Unfortunately because of the nature of his illness, help was not readily available through either of his insurance companies and so the fight was left to family and friends.
During the time he was incapacitated, Earl had time to reflect on his life and most importantly on God. It took him back to a place where he was several years before, deeply rooted in his faith and in God. A year before his passing, Earl told his wife that he was at peace with God, and that upon his call he would be more than ready to go. Frequently he was visited by a spiritual leader with whom he would discuss these thoughts and feelings. His one wish was that everyone could see his heart and be where he is spiritually instead of judging him.
In his last days, Earl encouraged everyone who visited him to live peacefully, love one another and to take great care of his wife and step-children whom he loved dearly.
He was the kindest, most loving person that someone could ever have the pleasure of knowing. If given the opportunity, he would readily sacrifice the shirt on his back to help someone. He did not have to know you to help you. He was a very punctual individual and a stickler for perfection and I am sure his colleagues from Con-Ed can easily attest to that.
It was Earl's wish not to have his body viewed as he wanted everyone to remember him the way he was. A vibrant, happy man, full of life…. The way he wants all of you to live.
He leaves to mourn, his wife Elaine, step-children, Jholane & Jodi-Kaye, his mother, Etta Shields, sisters - Sylvia, Rebecca, Prescilla and Genevieve. Brothers – Artlez, Dennis and Wilfred, nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives and friends.
A LIFE FULLY LIVED, GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.