Roy C. Shaw, 85
EGREMONT â€' Roy C. Shaw, 85, of Creamery Road, South Egremont, died Wednesday morning, March 12, 2008, at the Soldier's Home in Holyoke.
The Berkshires native was born on April 3, 1922, son of Frank Ashley Shaw and Grace Sexton Shaw Stannard. He attended local schools and graduated from the former Searles High School in Great Barrington in 1941.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served in Company D, 389th Infantry Regiment, as a corporal from Nov. 5, 1943, until he was honorably discharged on Feb. 4, 1946. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal.
Mr. Shaw worked as a carpenter throughout the Southern Berkshire area for Gilligan Brothers, Kane & Melvin and Berkshire Engineering before he retired in 1984. Before entering the service, he worked at the former Jug End Barn in South Egremont. After he retired, he helped both his sons build and renovate their homes.
Mr. Shaw and his wife, the former Rachel Frances Underwood, were active members of the United Methodist Church in Great Barrington for more than 50 years. They ushered, taught Sunday school and worked on church suppers. His carpentry skills were often called upon for both church and parsonage. His faith was constant and unwavering and always an inspiration to his family.
He was a member of Cinncinnatus Lodge AF & AM, the Monument Chapter Royal Arch Masons, James A. Modolo VFW Post 8348 in Great Barrington and the Alford Grange. An avid bowler, he enjoyed hunting in the Berkshires with his stepfather, Eugene Stannard, and his son Brian A. Shaw, and fishing in the Caribbean with his eldest son, David Randall "Randy" Shaw. He would rarely turn down an invitation to shoot a game of pool or play a hand of cards, hobbies he enjoyed to the end.
He and his wife would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary April 17. Rachel Shaw, formerly of Fayetteville, Tenn., was his pen pal during the war and, upon his return, he headed straight to Tennessee to finally meet her. The couple made their home in South Egremont.
Besides his wife and two sons, Brian of Sheffield and David of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, he leaves his daughters-in-law Kimberly Shaw and Thames A. Shaw; his foster sister, Hilda Tangrady of Great Barrington; grandson Makenzie D. Shaw and granddaughter Ashlee T. Shaw, and nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a brother, Lawrence M. Shaw, in 1982.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' Funeral services for Roy C. Shaw will be conducted Saturday, March 15, at 11 at United Methodist Church in Great Barrington by the Rev. David Rogers. Burial with military honors will follow in Town House Hill Cemetery in South Egremont.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 14, from 4 to 7 at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Everyone is also invited to share in a Masonic service being held at 7.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation Services or to United Methodist Church, Great Barrington, through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and
reflections may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.