Arthur J. O'Shea

Arthur J. O’Shea, of Needham, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025. He was 96.

Dr. O’Shea was born in Boston on September 23, 1928. His parents Arthur and Delia were both immigrants from Ireland and raised him and his brother Robert in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. He attended Boston College High School where he graduated as valedictorian. After high school, he entered the Weston College Seminary Program at Boston College and graduated with a BA in 1952 followed by his Masters in 1953. He then travelled to Europe for several years where he continued his studies with the Jesuits. After several years, he realized that his life was meant to have a different path and he returned to Boston College where he earned a Master’s in Education in 1963 and then his PhD in Counseling Psychology in 1967. It was during this time that Arthur met the love of his life, Janet (nee Scully), who was working at Boston College at the time. Arthur and Janet married in 1967 and moved to Needham shortly thereafter where they raised their 3 children, Jennifer, Daniel and Elizabeth. He was a devoted husband to Janet until her passing in 2021.

Dr. O’Shea dedicated his career to teaching and was known for his research and program development in making learning and economic mobility accessible to more people. He held numerous academic appointments including Assistant Professor at Northeastern University from 1966-1968; Associate Dean of Boston State College

1968-1973; Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Boston State College 1973-1982; Professor and Director of the Counselor Education Program at the University of Massachusetts at Boston from 1982-1992. He retired from academics in 1992 but continued to work well in to his 80s. He worked as a vocational consultant to numerous federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and law firms and was the co-founder of Career Planning Associates, a career guidance testing firm.

Arthur was an avid Boston sports fan and loved nothing more than catching a Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox or Celtics game with friends and family. Dr. O’Shea was a fixture on the sidelines of his children’s (and later grandchildren’s) sports events rarely missing a chance to support them in person. Golf was another passion and one of his favorite ways to spend time was on the course with friends and family.

During summers, Arthur enjoyed relaxing with friends and family on the back deck of the family home on Cape Cod with a cocktail in hand.

Dr. O’Shea was loved and respected by so many friends and family and will be missed dearly. He is survived by his children: Jennifer O’Shea (Cary Samulka), Dan O’Shea (Noelle) and Elizabeth O’Shea Speed (Christopher) as well his eight grandchildren: Annie, Max, Katharine, Natalie, Clare, Charlie, Declan and Maeve. He was predeceased by his beloved brother Robert and parents Delia and Arthur.

Visiting hours will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, on Tuesday, May 20th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Road, Wellesley. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arthur J. O'Shea, please visit our floral store.