Thomas McNeil Shields was born in Belfast Northern Ireland 22nd March, 1938 to Neil and Olive Shields.   Tom an only child grew up in a happy home at Ardenlee Avenue Belfast. He went to Park Parade Secondary School and enjoyed a youth of drama, art, rugby, sailing and family trips to Bangor and Portrush.

Tom found his passion for mechanical engineering when he went to work for Modern Tool.  His warm personality and ability to relate to people stood him in good stead for the evolving career ahead.   Tom was the founding member of Newtownabbey Round Table in Northern Ireland.

Tom married Betty (Stewart) also from Belfast on September 8th,1959 and they set up their first home in Carnvue Avenue Glengormley Co. Antrim. Karen, Tom’s daughter was born in May 1961 and son Mark in 1962.

Tom, Betty and family moved to Dublin in 1964, residing in Leopardstown Avenue, Foxrock after accepting the offer to work for Ingersoll Rand.   His next career move saw Tom joining Harold Engineering Sales Limited in the late 1968 after leaving Ingersoll Rand joining with his Partner Seamus Whelan at the time. He became the Managing Director and worked there for close to 50 years’ service. The company had many long term staff and indeed some still working there now.

Tom continued to be an active member of  the Round Table in Dublin for many years, then the Masons and in later years, secretary of the Irish Model Boat Club after developing a passion  for model boats and boasted a large fleet with sail days at UCD grounds with great friends that followed his passion.

As a family, they moved to Bray, Co. Wicklow in 1972, where they had many happy years as part of the Christ Church parish and the wider Bray community.  Betty and Tom named their home on Church Road –  ‘Carnvue’ after the road name of their first home together. Tom enjoyed being a part of the committee for the One Act Drama Festival, Christ Church Vestry Committee and was involved in a number of community fundraising events such as The Lord Mayor events, The Bray Festival Queen and The Phil Coulter Gala Evening at Christ Church.

Tom was a proud grandfather to grandchildren Aaron and Niall (Karen’s sons) and Harry and Archie (Mark’s sons). He was also very close to his daughter in-law Tanya, sister in law  Molly Stewart and family in the North of Ireland and enjoyed regular contact with his nieces Tracey and Wendy and their children.

Tom and Betty moved to England to be closer to Karen and Mark and set up in a new home at Hurstpierpoint in Sussex in May of 2019. It was great for Tom having close contact with his children and their families and especially during lock down due to Covid – 19 and the very sad loss of Betty in September 2020.  Tom in his later years lived with Parkinsons with grace and good humour.  He enjoyed many happy times with his family and new found friends, neighbours and wonderful carers from Elite and then Caremark allowing him to live independently at home.

Tom died peacefully at home in on May 18th 2026 with his daughter present.  Tom was a man who lived a full and engaging life. He was much loved and admired by all who knew him and leaves a legacy of  wonderful memories.

Quotes from Colleagues at Harold Engineering

‘Tom was always known for his terrific personality, humour, and ability to always find a solution in difficult situations. As many would say they never knew anyone he could not get on with or that anyone could not get on with him’.

Quote 

‘An absolute gentleman, I don’t believe we will ever see the likes of Tom again’

‘He had some presence and always filled a room with laughter’

His funeral ceremony will take place on Friday 29th May Christ Church Sayers Common Sussex.  The service will be recorded and the link will be available afterwards on this notice.  Donations in memory will go to Parkinsons Society and the RNLI.