Shea, John

Year Inducted / Année Intronisé:

2023

Province / Province:

Ontario

Category / Catégorie:

Executive Honour Roll

Biography / Biographie:

 

This longtime Ottawan has devoted countless volunteer hours to curling, beginning in 1990 when he was part of the ice crew for the 1990 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in his hometown.

Shea joined the Curling Canada Board of Governors in 2016, and served as finance chair for three years, and was elected Board Chair for the 2019-20 season, during which he also served as a member of the World Curling Federation’s Finance Commission.

His company, John Shea Insurance, was a significant curling sponsor for many years in Ottawa, and he created the first comprehensive insurance program designed specifically for curling clubs. Shea also played a significant role in the creation of the Dominion Canadian Curling Club Championships in 2009; the event is now known as the Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships.

His experience with the 1990 Scotties started him down a road that would see him volunteer for just about every major provincial, national or international curling event staged in the Ottawa Valley, including most recently being the Team Captain for Canada for the highly successful 2023 Strathcona Cup Scottish Tour of Canada. Shea also will be Canada’s captain when Canadian teams tour Scotland for the 2028 Strathcona Cup.

A member of the Governor General’s Curling Club, Shea also is a former Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ontario Curling Association and a member of the Ontario Curling Hall of Fame.

Even after his time with the Curling Canada Board of Governors ended, Shea continues to be active in promoting the sport having served as the president of the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, and is a member of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.