Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

December 26, 1924 - February 10, 2019

Shields, Neil J., died peacefully at the Southwestern Veterans Center at Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, (about a mile from his birthplace on Doak Street), on Sunday, February 9, 2019, at the grand age of 94.

Neil is survived by his loving sisters Catherine "Kate" Amann, Mary Patricia "Patsy" Stack, and Margaret "Peggy" Amrhein; sisters-in-law Helen (Miller) Shields and Margaret "Peggy" (Higgins) Shields. Neil is also survived by his 22 nieces and nephews whom he cherished, providing all with life-long support, love and encouragement.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Darby and Margaret (White) Shields; his longtime companion Lillian Jones; his brothers Darby M. (Helen) Shields and Hugh J. (Peggy) Shields; brothers-in-law William (Peggy) Amrhein, Thomas (Kate) Amann and Phillip "Jim" (Patsy) Stack; nieces, Catherine Amann and Sandra Stack; and nephews, James Stack, Kevin Amrhein, and Neil Amann.

Neil was a graduate of Penn Hills High School, and later attended the University of Pittsburgh. During WWII, he served in the United States Army with the 69th Infantry Regiment, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant where experienced the rigors of combat in the European theater until the cessation of hostilities at Torgau, Germany, where he linked up with elements of the Soviet 5th Guards Army. Neil was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Brentwood - Post 1810. He especially enjoyed attending reunions with his brothers in arms from the "Fighting 69th."

He enjoyed a life-long career with the United States Postal Service, retiring as the superintendent of the Greentree, PA postal facility. He was known as a competent, fair-minded supervisor, enjoying the respect and friendship of his co-workers.

Neil was an avid and skilled golfer and, enjoyed making a good number visits to Ireland to see his many relatives in Counties, Donegal (Shields/Shiels), Cork (White) and Galway (Higgins). He was also a "favorite Uncle" to his 27 nieces and nephews, taking many on excursions - both near and far - from trips to the South Jersey shore, to the hometowns of his beloved parents in Ireland. He always had a ready smile, a twinkle in his eye, and words of encouragement for all of the kids as they grew.

Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 5-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Saturday morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, One Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 at 10:00 a.m. All are welcomed to attend and celebrate Neil's full and happy life. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, at rest next to his parents, at 7601 Mt Carmel Rd, Verona, PA 15147. Neil's family wishes to thank all at the Southwestern Veterans Center (especially Amber) who provided Neil with dignified care and support while he was a resident there.