Beloved professor and local supporter of the arts Mike Shea died over the weekend, roughly two weeks after an e-bike rider who ran a red light in Westville crashed into him and fled the scene. Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), where 74-year-old Shea had long served as an English prof essor, notified students of his passing on Saturday. Friends, former students, and colleagues have since taken to social media to share cherished memories of Shea and the mark he made on their lives. Shea was struck by an e-bike on Friday, Oct. 9, while crossing Whalley Avenue by West Rock Avenue outside Lyric Hall at 827 Whalley Ave. He had attended Lyric Hall’s screening of Karyl K. Evans’ documentary “The New Haven Green: Heart of a City.” Afterward, Shea entered the marked crosswalk outside the theater and antique shop. The e-bike operator, who was traveling north on Whalley, passed the vehicles stopped at the signal on the right and continued through the intersection. The e-bike operator fled the scene on Fountain Street toward Central Avenue. Shea was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital with serious injuries. New Haven police have released some photos of the bike operator and are asking for tips to aid in his arrest. New Haven Police Department (NHPD) spokesperson Officer Christian Bruckhart told the Independent that an arrest has not yet been made in the case. He said that anyone who might have any relevant information should contact the NHPD’s detective division at (203) 946-6304. He also confirmed that the e-bike doesn’t appear to be a rentable Ride New Haven e-bike (see photos). At the time of the crash, New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli told the Independent regarding Shea crossing the street, “As far as I know, he was doing everything right.” In Saturday’s email addressed to the SCSU community, Interim President Sandy Bulmer wrote, “Mike was a dedicated colleague and friend whose warmth, humor, and generosity touched the lives of students and colleagues over decades. His contributions to our university and the relationships he built over the years will remain an important part of our Southern community.” English Department Chair Cindy Stretch was also quoted on behalf of the department: “For decades, Mike has been a walking, talking reminder of what’s best about this place: the way we teach, the way we ask questions, the way we care for one another. There was not a cynical bone in his body. “Mike showed us what service to our students, to our colleagues, and to our university could be and why it matters. And he taught his students that there was nothing more exciting than learning to understand what they didn’t think they could. He will be so deeply missed by his friends and by the legions of students whose lives he touched.” Shea’s friend and former SCSU English Department colleague George Rosso submitted a writeup to the Independent, describing decades of friendship that began over a shared love for the arts — particularly Bob Dylan. (Rosso’s reminiscence can be read in full below.) “I met Mike in 1987 and we bonded immediately over Bob Dylan. Mike saw Dylan at least 20 times. He owned almost every lp, cassette, cd, bootleg, and live performance. One of the great experiences of his life was seeing Dylan live at Toads in 1990 for a special 4-hr show. He was one of 700 people. He said a great thrill was Dylan looking him in the eyes when he sang ‘It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry,'” Rosso wrote. He said that Shea loved Ray Davies of The Kinks, and that he used their song “Lola” to teach irony. Shea loved irony, he said. “One semester, he taught Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and didn’t show up for class. Humor was essential to Mike. A lifeblood for him.” “For the four decades I knew and loved Mike, I marveled at his capacity to reach students, to devote himself entirely to them, and to make an enduring difference in their lives,” Rosso wrote. “It was typical of Mike that as a teacher of Shakespeare, he focused on learning the plays as performances on a stage, as a living script. Mike lived to instill a love in students, future teachers, for thinking in words, and for bringing the Bard’s speeches to life for real audiences.” And, Rosso wrote, Shea did nothing halfheartedly. Another friend and colleague of Shea’s for 32 years, Tim Parrish, took to Facebook to express his grief. (Read Parrish’s full post below as well.) “Mike consumed art and experience with joy, curiosity, and eagerness to share how rich his experience was. Three movies in a row? No sweat. Two plays in NYC in a night? Why didn’t NYC schedule better so he could see a third? Dylan playing? Why not see him a minimum of seventy times?” Parrish wrote. “Mike was fun! His laugh was forged in the same prank furnace that forged the Marx Brothers, Keaton, the Three Stooges, Gilda Radner, Lucille Ball and every other great comedian or humorist you can name. He embraced the raucous, trickster spirit of original punk, never stinting in silliness and creative disruptiveness. I can’t count the meetings with students he punctuated by giving an insane pig’s squeal as he passed my office.” Parrish wrote of Shea’s dedication to his students, whom he demanded the best from and taught to “think and read and write.” “Mike was the most devoted teacher I’ve ever known, and I say this from a constellation of phenomenal teachers,” Parrish wrote. “He leaves not a hole, but a kind of desert in my heart, but it won’t last. Mike was the Johnny Appleseed of love, care, activism, and creativity, and what he sowed will keep sprouting forever.” Parrish’s Facebook post had racked up more than 200 comments by late afternoon Monday, full of former students and colleagues who shared memories with Shea. One commenter recalled being interviewed by Shea for her first course as the instructor of record. She confessed she had struggled in undergrad and remembered his face brightening as he told her the university needed people like her. “I have never forgotten that almost 15 years later,” she wrote. “I had Shea for semesters of Shakespeare, and he was one of the most challenging professors I ever had. He challenged and he pushed, but his doing so, allowed me to become a teacher who wasn’t afraid to teach Shakespeare,” wrote another commenter. “Professor Shea made such an impact on me in the courses I took of his at SCSU, he always made time to meet with students and encouraged me to pursue my writing and art. His courses were some of my favorites!” wrote a third. Neighbors have long advocated for a Whalley Avenue that is safer for pedestrians. Since that bike crashed into Shea earlier this month, the Westville/West Hills Community Management Team devoted a recent meeting at Lyric Hall to discussing pedestrian safety along Whalley Avenue. According to Lyric Hall owner John Cavaliere, attendees suggested crosswalk improvements, like flashing pedestrian lights and a raised traffic table; engineered traffic safety improvements and coordination among city and state agencies, as Whalley is a state-owned road; and improved transit planning to reduce traffic volumes and congestion. Read SCSU Interim President Sandy Bulmer’s email to the Southern community. Dear Southern Community, It is with profound sadness that I share the news that Professor Mike Shea passed away this morning from injuries sustained in the accident I wrote to you about earlier this month. A longtime professor in Southern’s English Department and Honors College, Mike was a dedicated colleague and friend whose warmth, humor, and generosity touched the lives of students and colleagues over decades. His contributions to our university and the relationships he built over the years will remain an important part of our Southern community. English Chair Cindy Stretch shared the following reflection on behalf of the department: “For decades, Mike has been a walking, talking reminder of what’s best about this place: the way we teach, the way we ask questions, the way we care for one another. There was not a cynical bone in his body. Mike showed us what service to our students, to our colleagues, and to our university could be and why it matters. And he taught his students that there was nothing more exciting than learning to understand what they didn’t think they could. He will be so deeply missed by his friends and by the legions of students whose lives he touched.” Our hearts are with Mike’s wife, Candace, his family, and all those who knew and cared for him. We will share information about arrangements and opportunities to honor Mike’s memory as it becomes available. During difficult times, I encourage members of our campus community to seek support when needed. Southern’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided through The Lexington Group, offers free, confidential support to employees,24/7, at 1-800-676-HELP (4357) or The-Lexington-Group.com. Please keep Mike’s family and loved ones in your thoughts. Take Care, Sandy Read George Rosso’s full writeup about Mike Shea. Educator FriendMike Shea (1952-2026) Mike Shea, a much-loved teacher at Southern and a dear friend, died last weekend, mowed down by an e-bike running a light at a busy intersection on Whalley Ave. He left a mighty wake of sorrow in his passing.  I met Mike in 1987 and we bonded immediately over Bob Dylan. Mike saw Dylan at least 20 times. He owned almost every lp, cassette, cd, bootleg, and live performance. One of the great experiences of his life was seeing Dylan live at Toads in 1990 for a special 4-hr show. He was one of 700 people. He said a great thrill was Dylan looking him in the eyes when he sang “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry.” Now the wintertime is comingThe windows are filled with frostI went to tell everybodyBut I could not get acrossWell, I wanna be your lover, babyI don’t wanna be your bossDon’t say I never warned youWhen your train gets lost Mike also loved Ray Davies of the Kinks. He used to teach “Lola” as a masterpiece of irony. Mike loved irony. One semester, he taught Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and didn’t show up for class. Humor was essential to Mike. A lifeblood for him. For the four decades I knew and loved Mike, I marveled at his capacity to reach students, to devote himself entirely to them, and to make an enduring difference in their lives.  It was typical of Mike that as a teacher of Shakespeare, he focused on learning the plays as performances on a stage, as a living script. Mike lived to instill a love in students, future teachers, for thinking in words, and for bringing the Bard’s speeches to life for real audiences.  I’ve already heard from several students of Mike from the 1990s, who voiced their grief but emphasized their gratitude to Mike for what he taught them. I recall a comment from Gary Highsmith, a student of Mike’s in the 90s and now Superintendent of Hamden schools, who praised Mike, saying “Mike didn’t teach us what to think, but how to think.” Mike did nothing halfheartedly. On hearing of Mike’s death, a dear friend and colleague told me that he took some comfort in knowing that Mike lived ten lifetimes in one. His energy was legendary. He was tirelessly devoted to his friends, always inviting us to lunch, or a movie, a play, a talk, a concert, or a meeting. Mike was a rare bird who even loved meetings. Most of all, I remember Mike’s undying love. It will stay with me forever, as it will for Candace and their family, for our circle of friends, and for his students over the decades. Mike lived to make Southern a better place for every stakeholder, but especially for colleagues and students.  That will be his most enduring legacy. RIP, Mike. Great educator and friend. Read Tim Parrish’s full Facebook post. The world is infinitely poorer today as my exceptional friend and colleague of thirty-two years, Mike Shea, has died of injuries from a hit-and-run by an e-bike. None of my words this year have touched the excellence and uniqueness of my lost friends, but I feel that they’re least able to describe the capaciousness that was and will always be Mike. Apply the highest superlatives to these roles: friend, father, husband, teacher, leader, Shakespeare expert, dramatic arts lover, music and cinema aficionado, Dylanite, absurdist, clown, wit, and on and on. Mike consumed art and experience with joy, curiosity, and eagerness to share how rich his experience was. Three movies in a row? No sweat. Two plays in NYC in a night? Why didn’t NYC schedule better so he could see a third? Dylan playing? Why not see him a minimum of seventy times? Mike was the face of SCSU’s faculty and a selfless champion of the humanities. He went to the wall for students (it’s impossible to say how much he’s loved and how many lives he changed) and shared governance, was a fighter for the best of democracy and enlightened citizenry. But more than anything, he loved people and was filled with enthusiasm. Mike was fun! His laugh was forged in the same prank furnace that forged the Marx Brothers, Keaton, the Three Stooges, Gilda Radner, Lucille Ball and every other great comedian or humorist you can name. He embraced the raucous, trickster spirit of original punk, never stinting in silliness and creative disruptiveness. I can’t count the meetings with students he punctuated by giving an insane pig’s squeal as he passed my office. And oh my goodness, when he devoted himself to a prank, it could go on for months. FB’s demand for brevity keeps me from sharing the wonderful stories. Devotion and loyalty lived in him. Mike was the most devoted teacher I’ve ever known, and I say this from a constellation of phenomenal teachers. He demanded the best from students, taught them to think and read and write, challenged them and himself, and wove pranks into the most serious and demanding subject matter. He was my wonderful friend. During depressions and artistic frustrations I tried to hide, Mike would suss them out and come to my office and just sit if need be. When I was nearly trapped by my failing eyesight, he and Candace would pick me up from my house and take me to eat at their place, a place they made home for so many. Mike is loved by thousands, and especially by his amazing Candace and two stepkids, whose love attests to his grand heart. He leaves not a hole, but a kind of desert in my heart, but it won’t last. Mike was the Johnny Appleseed of love, care, activism, and creativity, and what he sowed will keep sprouting forever. Much love, my dear brother. You best have some practical joke planned for me on the other side. I am devastated here, but smiling and laughing at times, too. The post SCSU Prof Dies After Whalley Hit--Run appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less