John Francis "Jack" McShea, Jr. passed away on February 20, 2013, at home with his wife and family. Jack was born on August 2, 1931, at the Hotel Dieu in New Orleans, Lousiana, to John and Beatrix McShea. Although raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, Jack spent every summer of his youth with his mother and brother Roger in New Orleans, surrounded by Jack's many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents whom he loved dearly. A highlight of Jack's boyhood was pitching the winning game for St. Rita's in the New Orleans CYO eighth grade baseball championship. Jack attended St. Michael's Catholic grade school in Silver Spring, Maryland. It was there he met Betty, the love of his life, in the second grade. Jack and Betty were married in 1952. Shortly thereafter they began their family, and Jack obtained an accounting degree and began his business career. Jack worked as an accountant and financial officer for several businesses. He became President and CEO of Riviere Real Estate Investment Trust. Under his leadership, it was named by Business Week Magazine as the best-performing REIT in the United States. In 1968, at the age of 37, Jack founded Atlantic Telephone Company, an independent telecommunications company, headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. Jack grew the company to over 350 employees, with five offices in Maryland and Virginia. In 1980 he sold the company to ConTel (which later became part of GTE and Verizon). During this time, Jack was elected President of the North American Telephone Association. Jack went on to lead or found several other companies. He was exceptionally proud of McShea & Company, which he co-founded with his sons Tim and Jack in 1983 and which is today the largest privately owned, commercial real estate services firm in Suburban Maryland. Jack was a smart businessman who helped steer the company through waters both smooth and rough with wisdom, patience and courage. But what distinguished Jack most was his belief in people, and his ability to make them believe in themselves. Daily he showered encouragement, warmth and caring on employees and colleagues, and displayed his remarkable optimism and sense of humor. Jack never thought of retirement, and worked at McShea & Company into his 80's, until he became ill. Jack's greatest joy, and the center of his life, was his family. He adored his wife Betty, his children, Jack, Judy, Tim, all of Frederick, MD and Dave, of Seattle, WA, his daughters-in-law, Mary Fran McShea, Carole McShea ad Sophia Eitel, and his nine grandchildren, Katie Layman and husband, Joel, Joe, Annie, Molly, Brian, Olivia, Kevin, Isabella and John. "Pops" was deeply engaged in the lives of his children and grandkids. He believed in their dreams, cheered their successes and supported them through difficulty. He seemed to be ever-present, attending grandkids' performances and games, offering to help on household projects, dropping by unannounced for a coffee and a chat, and reveling in family gatherings. Above all, Jack simply delighted in his wife, family and friends -- he loved them completely, from the bottom of his heart. Jack, Dad, "Pops" , we love you completely, from the bottom of our hearts. We will miss you so. The family will receive friends from 3 to 8pm on Sunday, February 24 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, February 25 from Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 118 East Second Street, Frederick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Msgr R. Cary Hill, of Holy Cross Church, Garrett Park. Interment will be in Saint John's Cemetery, Frederick. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frederick National Little League, c/o David Fogle, P.O. Box 2043, Frederick, Maryland 21702 and St. John's Cemetery, 112 East Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com.
