Sturges B. Shields Jr., whose career at the United Nations spanned 30 years and included posts in Jamaica, Jerusalem, the Congo, Mexico City and Geneva, died Jan. 15, 2008 at the Hospice Inn in Melville. He was 91.

A resident of Stewart Manor since 1944, Mr. Shields was an active parishioner and Vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church in Garden City.

He is survived by sons Lawrence C. Shields of Port Washington and Bradford T. Shields of Austin, Texas; daughters-in-law Ellen B. Shields of Port Washington and Nancy Shields of Austin; grandchildren Christopher and wife Shannon Shields, Jonathan and wife Ana Shields of Port Washington, Brad and wife Beth Shields of Austin, and Jennifer Shields of New York City; great-grandchildren Carter Ivy and Madison Berg Shields of Port Washington. He is preceded in death by wife Joan Dodds Shields in 1999 and daughter-in-law Patti Shields in 2003.

Shields received his BS in economics from Yale University in 1937 and his CPA accreditation from New York State in 1942.

Shields served 30 years at the United Nations from 1946-1976. He was named to the Secretariat and one of the first employees of the newly formed organization under President Harry Truman. Assigned to the U.N.'s Department of Economic Affairs for Europe, his first assignment included the transfer of assets from the League of Nations in Geneva to the U.N.'s New York office. He served as the chief administrator in Jerusalem in 1952 and as the chief finance officer in Gaza in 1958. Other posts included chief conference officer in Mexico City in 1959 and chief finance officer in the Congo in 1960. Shields also served as the director of Financial Management and Administrative Policy for the U.N. Development Programme from 1961-1976. He was appointed Resident Representative for the Caribbean, headquartered in Jamaica, from 1971-1975.

Shields began his career working for Ernst & Ernst from 1937-1945. His lifetime of volunteer activities included service to the United Way of Long Island from 1976-1997 and board member from 1995-1997; president of the Stewart Manor Lions Club which bestowed the Distinguished Recognition Award in 2002; founder of the Lake Dutchess Homeowner's Association and treasurer and Vestry member of Christ Episcopal Church of Garden City.

He was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America, with more than 50 years of service. He began in 1953 as treasurer for Pack 134. He volunteered in numerous positions with the Nassau County Council, serving on the executive board for four separate terms. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award - the council's highest honor - in 1969; he also received the Chairman's Award from the Shelter Rock District in 2002.

He received the Mary Anna Meyer United Caring Award from the Long Island United Way in 1996; the DeWitt Clinton Masonic Award in 1998; and the Bishop's Cross for Distinguished Service from the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island in 2006. He is the recipient of a community service award in 2001 bestowed upon him by the Village of Stewart Manor for more than 50 years of service to Boy Scout Troop 134. The award was given for the respect and admiration he earned by developing young Boy Scouts into leaders and instilling community service into the lives of hundreds of young men.

A memorial service was held at Christ Episcopal Church of Garden City, officiated by the Rev. Debra L. Low- Skinner, Saturday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in his name and sent to: Teddy Roosevelt Council, Boy Scouts of America (TRCBSA), 544 Broadway, Massapequa, NY 11758 or Christ Episcopal Church, 33 Jefferson Street, Garden City, NY 11530.