ROCKLAND - Harold Lewis Shields, passed away peacefully at the Sussman House in Rockport on April 3, 2019. He was 97 years old.

Harold was born on June 13, 1921 in Los Angeles, California, to Ellen and Dr. Edgar T. Shields. He spent most of his childhood in Muncy, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn State University before enlisting in the Navy in WWII. Harold proudly served aboard the USS Dayton in the Pacific, and kept in touch with many shipmates. After the war, he continued his education at Kansas State University, graduating in milling engineering.

He married his sweetheart, Gloria Jean Whitmire, in 1946. Harold began his career in milling at the Quaker Oats Co. in Akron, Ohio, and also worked for the Miner-Hillard Milling Co. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  Later, Harold made a career move to the insurance industry where he worked until retiring.

In retirement, Harold and Gloria enjoyed 25 years living in a historic family homestead in Montrose, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Maine to be closer to their sons and their families. Harold and Gloria were faithful and active church members wherever they lived, and we are grateful for the love and support they found at Nativity Lutheran Church in Rockport. Harold and Gloria had been married 70 years when she passed away in 2016. Harold was predeceased by five of his six siblings, William Shields, Ruth Falck, Charles Shields, Steven Shields, and Marian King.

Harold is survived by his four children, Stacey Shields of Rockland, Kevin and wife Rebecca of Rockport, Curtis and wife Patti of Rockland, Ellen and husband Thom Wilch of Albion, Michigan; six grandchildren, Ben and wife Anita Shields of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Hannah Shields and partner Eze Iregbu of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Joseph Wilch of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Miriam Wilch of Albion, Michigan, Ryan Shields, Chris Shields both of Rockport; as well as his brother Edgar Shields of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by us all.

A memorial service will be held Monday, April 22, at 11 a.m., at Nativity Lutheran Church in Rockport, 179 Old County Road, The Reverend Wendy Anderson officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold and Gloria’s memories to Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, 700 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230 (www.lirs.org) or to the AIO (Area Interfaith Outreach) Food Pantry, P.O. Box 113, 70 Thomaston St., Rockland, ME 04841 (www.aiofoodpantry.org).

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  To share a memory or condolence with the Shields family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.