A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in New Iberia for Steven Patrick Shea Sr., who passed away on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 surrounded by family and friends after a valiant fight with cancer.

Interment will follow in Beau Pre’ Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life reception at the Gouguenheim immediately following the service.

Rev. Joe Breaux will be the Celebrant.

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Steven was born and raised in New Iberia, graduated from Catholic High School and went on to play football at the University of Southwestern Louisiana before receiving a juris doctorate degree from Louisiana State University. He practiced law in New Iberia for several years before relocating to the Florida Keys, where he became a Monroe County Circuit Court Judge. He enjoyed sailing, big band music, traveling, writing and being near the water. He was known for his tenacity and sense of humor.

Survivors include his loving wife, Beth LaSalle Shea; son Steven Shea Jr. and wife Melanie; daughters Aimee and Caitlin Shea; parents, Jerry and Harriet Shea; brothers Jerry Shea Jr. and wife Beverly and Jimmy Shea and wife Virginia; sisters Mary Zaunbrecher and husband Russell, Kelly Holleman and husband James, Ellen Mullen and husband Greg; step children, Adam LaSalle and wife Robin, Zack LaSalle, Katie LaSalle; step grandchildren, Emmaline LaSalle and David LaSalle.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Aline Babineaux, Alcee Babineaux, Ed Shea Sr. and Esther Reeves Shea.

Pallbearers will be Steven Shea Jr., Jerry Shea Jr., Jimmy Shea, Stewart Shea, Adam LaSalle and Zack LaSalle. Honorary pallbearers are the 1969 graduating class of Catholic High School, The Solomon House Group, and the Islamorada Group.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Eric Jonasch of M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Dr. David Rinaldi, Dr. Kurt O’Brien, and the 2nd floor staff and nurses at Iberia Medical Center, and to his sister, Dr. Ellen Mullen.

 Memorial donations may be made to the Catholic High School Endowment Fund, 1301 DeLaSalle Drive, New Iberia, LA, 70560, or Hospice Foundation of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA, 70503.

A gathering of family and friends will be Sunday from 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., in New Iberia. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Sunday. Visitation will continue Monday from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 365-3331, is in charge of arrangements.