After a courageous battle with cancer, our beloved dad and papa rejoined the love of his life on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.  Born to Maxine (Nardoni) and John P. Shea, Sr., Rollo was a life-long resident of Butte, MT.  Growing up, he attended St. John's elementary school, later moving up to the hill on North Main St.  Always proud of his Centerville roots, he graduated from Boys Central in 1963.  Following high school, Rollo briefly attended Carroll College but in his younger days, the trades were where he found his passion.  He may not have known it at the time, but he was also destined to be a Montana Tech Oredigger.

A self-proclaimed, "Jack of All Trades, but Master of None," Rollo once simultaneously held Journeyman cards in the pipefitter and carpenter unions along with a Class III boiler operator's license.  A license that he renewed annually, well past retirement and into his 70's, because as he would always say, "Ya never know."  Throughout the years, he worked for numerous local contractors including Murphy Plumbing and Knuckey Construction, where he worked alongside his dad, John, Sr.  His diverse skillset, work ethic and attention to detail lead to him working as a construction manager for Safeway Foods' divisional office in Butte.  During his years with Safeway, he oversaw the remodel and new construction of multiple stores throughout Montana and Wyoming.

Following the closure of Safeway's Corporate offices, Rollo began his 26-year career at Montana Tech in 1983.  First putting that boiler operator's license to use, he soon became the Maintenance Services Manager in 1984 and in 1987 became the Assistant Director of Physical Facilities.   In 1992, he became the Director of Physical Facilities, the position which he held until he retired in July of 2009.  During his time at Tech, Rollo again oversaw numerous renovations and new construction projects.  He viewed the Tech campus as his own home, taking great pride in the appearance of the grounds and the operations of all the facilities.  What he was most proud of during his time at Tech, however, was finishing that college education he started back in the fall of 1963.  Rollo would tell anyone that would listen or was struggling with the notion of continuing their schooling that, "It took me 28 years to graduate from college……if I can do it, anyone can."

Where Rollo's work ethic really stood out, however, was in his role as a provider for his family.  On July 22, 1972, he married the love of his life, Kathy (Gulley) Shea.  Through good, bad, thick and thin, the two were always at each other's side, until Kathy passed away in 2022, after just shy of 50 years of marriage.  In 1975, Rollo and Kathy became parents for the first time with the birth of their daughter Tara and their son Matt came along soon after in 1977.  Rollo's mission in life was to provide a stable home and do everything in his power to make sure his family did not go without.  Whether it was doing homework after dinner, spending three years' worth of nights and weekends building the family home, cutting firewood to heat that home, or fixing something at someone else's house, for many years, Rollo's workday was generally just beginning at 5 o'clock.

In 2006, the infamous nickname of Rollo, the origin story of which he took with him to the grave, gave way to the name Papa.  When his first grandchild Kenna Schleeman was born, the rough and tumble, Irish-Bohunk was no more from that day on.  Kenna melted away the tough exterior and was Papa's new partner in crime.  She remained so until the very end, doing a tremendous job helping care for her papa as his health continued to fade.  In 2006, his first grandson Kade Schleeman was born and Koda Schleeman followed shortly after in 2009.  Rollo was a devote Catholic and Butte Central grad, but for the last four years of his life, you'd be hard pressed to find a bigger Butte High Sports fan.  He loved nothing more than watching Kade and Koda compete on the football field, wrestling mat, and basketball court.  When Rollo was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of 2023, his goal was to watch the boys play football that fall.   When Kade was selected to play in the Shrine Game following the end of the season, the goal post got moved and he spent the next 8 months showing his grandsons that it is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog, ultimately enjoying every minute of one last football game in June.

We miss you already dad, but finding peace is a little easier knowing that you are no longer suffering and back together with mom.  You put in a hell of a shift and more than earned the right to finally punch out at 5 o'clock.

Rollo was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Kathy (Gulley) Shea; his parents, John Shea, Sr. and Maxine Carlin; father and mother-in-law, Ken and Lee (LaPalm) Gulley; brothers-in-law, Joe Gulley and Pat Burton.

He is survived by his son Matt, daughter and son-in-Law Tara and Doug Schleeman; grandchildren, Kenna, Kade and Koda Schleeman; sister, Rosalie Burton; step-grandchildren Drew Schleeman and Nicole Tiensvold; nephew's Andy (Barb) Burton; Joe Burton (Shonna Walund) and John (Holly) Burton, along with numerous great-nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, at St. Ann's Church.  Funeral Service will follow at 11:00.  A reception following the services will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall.  In lieu of flowers, Rollo's family asks that a donation in his name be made to the Butte Food Bank, Shriners Children Hospital or a charity of your choice.