James J. O'Shea, math teacher and coach
James J. O'Shea, 72, of Pitman, a high school math teacher and coach, died of cancer Saturday, July 30, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
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James J. O'Shea, 72, of Pitman, a high school math teacher and coach, died of cancer Saturday, July 30, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
After earning his bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University in 1961, Mr. O'Shea taught math in high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for several years before joining the faculty at Pitman High School.
He taught at Pitman for 26 years and won five National Science Foundation Awards to study advanced math in the summer at such colleges as Wayne State University in Michigan and Murray State University in Kentucky, his son, James, said.
After leaving Pitman in the late 1990s, Mr. O'Shea taught at Kennedy-Kenrick High School in Norristown. He retired in 2004.
Mr. O'Shea grew up in Drexel Hill and was in the first graduating class from Monsignor Bonner High School in 1957. As a 6-foot, 6-inch pitcher on the Bonner baseball team, Mr. O'Shea was offered a contract with the Washington Senators, but his father made him turn it down in favor of college, his son said.
Mr. O'Shea played baseball for St. Joseph's and later played in amateur leagues. As a young man, he coached Little League teams in Drexel Hill and later coached varsity baseball, football, softball, and swimming at Pitman High School.
Mr. O'Shea was a member of the New Jersey Education Association, the Association of Catholic Teachers, and the National Association of Mathematics Teachers. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Pitman, where he was a eucharistic minister, bringing communion to the housebound and nursing-home residents. He was a Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Council 6247 in Pitman.
Mr. O'Shea was a Phillies and Eagles fan and enjoyed gardening, reading, his grandchildren, and old-time Westerns, especially the Lone Ranger.
Besides his son, he is survived by a daughter, Jennifer O'Shea-Piasecki; three grandchildren; and his former wife, Jude Desmond O'Shea.
A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, at St. Kevin Church, 200 W. Sproul Rd., Springfield, Delaware County. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m.