Tragedy Strikes the O'Shea Family

We have no answers; we never do. Across the years all of us have attended Brothers' weddings, celebrated the birth of their children, and on dark days we stand at graveside and close our eyes to hold the memories close.

Three of the finest young men ever to kneel at the altar of Pi Kappa Alpha are Robert O'Shea '02, Joe O'Shea '04 and Jesse O'Shea '07. Joe is the FSU 2008 Student Body President and a Rhodes Scholar. Jesse was selected by the Chapter for the honor of being the 2,000th initiate of Delta Lambda. A freshman, Jesse created and is President of the Student United Way. Older brother Robert O'Shea '02 (Alpha Eta, University of Florida) is 24 and a third year law student at FSU. All four siblings are Seminoles. Their sister Mykal O'Shea dates Delta Lambda Brother Taylor Long '05.

The O'Shea family is remarkably accomplished and highly regarded in Tampa Bay. The four children each are renowned for their high academic achievement and personal leadership. The family's charitable initiatives are astonishing.
The father of the family, Jim O'Shea died in May, 2007 of kidney disease at age 67. Less than a year later, their mother Debbie O'Shea died suddenly after complications during a scuba diving trip in South Florida.

Below is an excerpt from the article in the St Petersburg Times:

"I know all my kids are way smarter than me, but you know why I truly admire them?" she told a family friend. "Through everything, they have never lost heart or the motivation to accomplish their highest goals. Their strength, even Mykal's, just overwhelms me. I love how they have stuck together and are so supportive of one another. I couldn't be more proud of each one of them."

There were no curfews in the O'Shea house. No grounding. The punishment for breaking trust was disappointment.

She didn't always get her way. After two years, she still hadn't been able to get Joe to clean out his closet.

The kitchen remains torn up. She had started fixing up the house for her step-grandchildren and for her future grandkids. She couldn't wait to spoil them rotten.

She taught her children that family is everything, and to raise their own families with trust.

"Can you feel my arms around you?" she would tell Mykal on the phone. "I'm right there."

Tragedy strikes as it will, and our Fraternity also embraces Brothers within loving arms. If you are so inclined, a fund has been established to provide educational support for the O'Shea children. If you decide to contribute, please be sure to indicate that you are a member of Pi Kappa Alpha.

O'Shea Family Trust
c/o James Stearns, Esq.
1370 Pinehurst Rd.
Dunedin, FL 34698