John Donald O'Shea
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John Donald O'Shea

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John Donald O'Shea is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA - '63) and Notre Dame Law School (JD - '64). After doing basic and advanced training with the Illinois National Guard, he applied for a commission in the USNR, and was commissioned as a LTJG(JAG), retiring at the rank of LTCDR. He began his practice of law as an Assistant State's Attorney for Rock Island County, IL. In that position he tried many felony cases, and handled the office's appeals to the Appellate and Supreme Court of Illinois. After leaving the State's Attorney's Office, he went into private practice and shortly thereafter was appointed as Corporation Counsel for the City of Moline, IL. In 1974, he was elected for a six year term as a Circuit Judge for the 14th Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois. He was retained in office on four occasions, and retired after 26 years on the bench. During the first 15 years of his judgeship, he rode the circuit, and heard the full range of cases heard by Circuit Judges. During most of the last 10 years of his judgeship, he served as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division of Rock Island County, IL Throughout his adult life, except during the years his daughter, Erin, was playing ASA Softball, Don has been active in community theater as an actor, singer and director. Among his favorite roles have been: Lun Tha in THE KING AND I, Bud Frump, in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, The Minstrel in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Tommy Albright in BRIGADOON, Capt. Warrington in LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE, Nanki Poo, and later the Mikado, in The MIKADO, the Defendant in TRIAL BY JURY, the Sergeant of Police in the PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Reginald Bunthorne in PATIENCE, Strephon in IOLANTHE, the Bo'sun in H.M.S. PINAFORE, Fr. O'Reilly in DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? the King in CINDERELLA, Bellomy in The FANTASTICKS! Mr. Lawrence in LITTLE WOMEN, Grandpa Prophater in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, Henry Potter in MIRACLE IN BEDFORD FALLS, and Pastor Hopkins in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. He also thoroughly reveled in playing Windermere Hightower in THE CURSE OF THE ACHING HEART, and Bud the Stud in SEX PLEASE, WE'RE SIXTY. Don has particularly enjoyed performing with his daughter, Erin, in five musicals. Erin appeared as Becky, in DO BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES REALLY REFLECT UP? Cinderella in CINDERELLA, Luisa in FANTASTICKS! Pitti Sing in The MIKADO, and Jo in LITTLE WOMEN. Erin is now pursuing a career as a professional actress. Additionally, Don has published 18 plays with Theatrefolk, Big Dog, Brooklyn Publishing and Drama Source, mostly written for junior high and high school theater, but well-suited for community theater. His most popular plays have been his LITTLE NELL AND THE MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE, THE FIRST HERALD ANGEL, THE DAY MA'S BOYS DONE WENT TO TOWN TO ROB THE BANK AGAIN, AND THE DAY BLACK BART BALDERDASH AND DANGEROUS DAN MCGREW NEARLY WENT TO DUELING AT MISS KITTY'S GOLDEN NUGGET SALOON. His plays, both published and self-published, can be perused at: http://www.playscriptsplace.com You can also visit his Author's page at: https://johndonaldosheaauthor.weebly.com In his retirement, Don has served as a volunteer theatrical director for the local Catholic High School, two Catholic junior highs, and a public junior high. In his retirement Don has also been paid to write thrice-monthly [now twice-monthly] op eds for three local newspapers. Don takes pride in walking the golf course and playing five days a week, weather permitting. Since graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Don faithfully follows ND football, men's and women's basketball, and from time-to-time hockey. Because ND remains an independent in football, he roots for every other football team to lose - even when they play each other!
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