Mr. Marion Francis Shean, 95, of the Perch Lake Road, Watertown, NY passed away Saturday April 4th surrounded by his five children.  He was in the care of his daughter and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Born December 28, 1919 in Harrisville, NY he was the son of Verner M. and Viola Stowell Shean.  He attended Harrisville Schools and at the age of 17 entered the Civilian Conservation Corp in Hawkinsville, NY for a year. He left for a job in Hartford Connecticut where he met and married Florence P. Beaulieu, on August 2, 1940, in Windsor, CT.  The couple resided in Hartford where Mr. Shean worked several years for sheet metal companies.  The couple moved to Watertown in 1959 and he went to work for Northern Glass Comp in Watertown.

In the 60's and 70's Mr. and Mrs. Shean owned and operated the Seaway Gas Station and the TV Service Center, both on Mill Street.  In 1974 the couple moved to Cape Vincent, where they operated a hobby farm. While there they were foster parents to more than 35 children.  Mr. Shean also worked for the sheet metal Local Union 7 throughout the North Country and operated a farm machinery repair shop out of his farm in Cape Vincent.  He worked during that time at Finks Snowplow in Clayton for five years.  The couple moved back to Watertown in 1986 where they were neighbors to their daughter Marilynn Hibbard.  Mrs. Shean died March 23, 2004

In 2002 at the age of 83 he started a personal publishing company, "Last Chance Publishing".  Since then he has written "The Sheans, Stowells and Harrisville" about his growing up in Harrisville NY.  He also wrote "Life in the Civilian Conservation Corp" and "Recalling the Past of the Civilian Conservation Corp'.  He was featured in the Watertown Daily Times on June 11, 2003 for his Harrisville book.   At the age of 85 he created, and until recently, maintained websites for his publishing company as well as one for the Civilian Conservation Corp.

Among his survivors are three daughters and a son in law, Marilynn F. Hibbard of Watertown, Barbara B. Sheen of Watertown, Patricia A. Brown Seltzer and David Seltzer of Jackson, TN, two sons and two daughter in laws, Thomas V. & Linda Sheen of NC, Kenneth G. & Judith Shean of Watertown, two sisters, Marilynn Van Brocklin of Ames, Iowa, Margaret Branchaud of Allen, TX, 20 grand children, 2 step grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by a daughter Lorraine Carol who died at infancy, and his sister Myrtle Lathan.

Marion is a former member of the Moose Lodge in Hartford, CT and in Watertown #2403 where he held numerous offices.

Arrangements are with the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home.  There will be no services.  Burial will be at the convenience of the family at North Watertown Cemetery.  A  Family Reunion, planned since December, was intended to be held on April 4th.  The 80 family members attending instead had a Celebration of Marion's life and legacy.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be sent to Hospice of Jefferson County.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartandbrucefh.com.