For nearly four decades, Dellot Allen “Dale” Shields served the City of Bridgeport in a manner that had an impact on everyone within the municipal limits and even beyond. Shields was the highly thought of Superintendent of Public Works.

 

A little more than two years ago, Shields retired after 37 years – in September of 2013 to be exact. On Saturday, the community learned that Shields had passed away at the age of 58.

 

“I came to work for the city in 1987. I worked with Dale for about 28 years,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton.” Dale was always very thorough in the projects he oversaw consulting with the city or during his 38 years of service with the city … Dale had a wealth of knowledge that will be missed when it came down to water and sewer lines and general infrastructure  of the city.”

 

Burton wasn’t the only one that knew of Shields’ knowledge of the city’s infrastructure. Community Development Director Randy Spellman would frequently say in certain meetings that Shields knew where every line in the city was located and when it was put in.

 

“Dale knew every utility line in the city like the back of his hand.   And, it was all learned the hard way as he spent many years installing those utilities,” said Spellman. “When he became the assistant public works director and eventually the director, he was always a big help to me whenever I needed it.  There were many times he just got things done instead of it being a matter that could have dragged on forever.”

 

Although Shields retired in 2013, he returned to do some consulting work with the city. Burton worked with him on the Compton Park retaining wall removal project that began in March of 2014.

 

“He always had the best interest of the city in the forefront. I think Compton Park looks 100 times better with the old wall removed,” said Burton.

 

Spellman added that Shields also did things that weren’t necessarily part of his job responsibility.

 

“Years ago I was in control of the animal control department.  We had a part-time animal control officer but the shelter where we would keep the dogs was at public works,” said Spellman. “Dale would always make sure the dogs had blankets in the winter and food and water.  He had a big heart for animals.”

 

Burton said the man that Dale Shields was is what will be missed most.

 

“He was always the type of man that would help you out.  Dale always checked on his neighbors and helped them however he could,” said Burton. “Dale had a great sense of humor and was all around a great guy.”

 

Spellman echoed those comments.

 

“The thing I always admired about Dale is he had a knack for getting things done. After a big storm, you could have all the plans and procedures in the world in a book somewhere, but Dale always knew where to send the guys first to get the city back on track,” said Spellman, who worked with Shields for 30 years. “He was kind, intelligent, ornery, hard-working, but above all a true friend.”

 

City Finance Director Monica Musgrave also worked for decades with Shields. She, too, had glowing words of praise for him.

 

"I worked with Dale for 26 years at the city and also went to school with him.  Dale always had the best interest of the citizens of the city in mind and always had a joke or two," she said. "He was always happy and willing to do anything for anyone.  Many people could call him a real friend."

 

Shields, who passed after a short battle with cancer, will have a funeral viewing Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. His funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. Both the viewing and the service will be held at Burnside Funeral Home.