BRANDON, VT / UTICA, NY - Rory S. Shea, 60, of Brandon VT, formerly of Utica, NY, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at the Rutland Regional Medical Center in Vermont. Rory was born December 14, 1953, in Utica, the son of George J. and Mary (Petty) Shea. He was raised and educated locally and went on to graduate from Syracuse University, with his degree in Environmental Science and Forestry. He was employed with the US Forestry Service, having been stationed in the Smokey Mountains in Virginia and the Green Mountains in Vermont. He was sent to various places in the country to fight forest fires, including Idaho, California, and Yellowstone National Park. Rory always enjoyed a good game of Hearts or Chess. He was of the Catholic faith. Rory is survived by his mother, Mary Shea, Utica; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jaime and Terry Poissant, Utica, Kathy and Myles Sinnott, Whitesboro; nieces and nephews, Kaitlin, Kevin, Eric, Matthew, Jennifer, Becky, and Tracy; as well as several great nieces and great nephews. He is also survived by his longtime girlfriend, Mary Ellen Riley, Vermont. Mr. Shea's funeral will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment, in Calvary Cemetery, Utica, will take place at the convenience of the family. Those wishing may donate to the US Forestry Service in Rory's memory.