John Joseph "Jack" Shields, III

John J. “Jack” Shields III, 85, of Naples, Florida, and Gloucester, Massachusetts, died on November 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.  

Jack was devoted to Judy, the absolute love of his life, for the past 43 years. His proudest accomplishment was that of father to his six children, whom he loved and inspired.

Jack was born with a continuous thirst for learning. He lived with an innate curiosity, an adventurer’s spirit, and possessed enormous integrity.  He instilled in his children a strong moral character, an appreciation for the wonders of nature and guided them along the paths of the life they chose.  Jack created a lifetime of memories for Judy and his children. They enjoyed years of sailing the Caribbean and New England, skiing in Europe and New Hampshire, fly fishing in Alaska, and traveling to many other destinations around the world.  A very special memory his family will hold most dear is Jack’s traditional Christmas turkey, especially his famous stuffing, and the accompanying holidays filled with laughter, love, stories and a few lessons from “Our Captain”.

Jack proudly served in the Navy from 1955-1958 where he enjoyed being part of the flight crew aboard an aircraft carrier.  His professional achievements were many.  He began his career in 1962 as a Field Engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation, where he was among the company’s first 100 employees.  Jack enjoyed an illustrious career there where he rose very quickly through the ranks as Digital grew into a corporate computer giant with over 140,000 employees.  He last held the position of Senior Executive Vice President, overseeing the Company’s Sales, Services, Marketing, and International operations comprised at that time of over 70,000 employees. 

In 1990, Jack joined Computervision Corporation where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer and then as Chief Executive Officer from January 1991 to 1993.  Jack then pursued his interest in the venture capital business and started King’s Point Holdings, Inc., a successful diversified holdings firm comprised of several information technology-based companies, as well as instrumentation and production companies related to the cranberry industry.  In 1998, Jack joined Boston Capital Ventures as Managing Partner, bringing his wealth of experience in the computer industry to the firm’s investment business.  Throughout his career, Jack sought the highest standards of excellence but none higher than those to which he held himself, enriching the lives of many people with whom he associated along the way.

Jack served on several boards over many years.  He was a Director of Ionics, Inc. of Watertown, Massachusetts, and EXA Corporation of Burlington, Massachusetts, as well as a Director of numerous private start-up companies.  He served on the Board of Trustees of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University, both located in Worcester, MA.  A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he also received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree, Jack completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John J. Shields II and Pauline (Skinisky) Shields-Harvey.  He leaves his wife, Judith, and six children:  Laura and John Nicholson of Holden, MA; Janet and William Short of Shrewsbury, MA; Karen Shields Jennison of Shrewsbury, MA; Noreen and David Mirabito of Boxford, MA; Susan and Jason Arcelay of Concord, MA; and John “Jay” IV and Gemma Shields of Naples, FL.  He also leaves the shining stars of his life -- 15 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, and his precious dog Siggi.  Jack is survived by his brothers Paul Shields of Auburn, MA and William Shields of Sarasota, FL and sister Annabeth D’Alauro of Shepherdstown, WV, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private funeral Mass will be held at a future date.  Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.