Obituary of Harry A. Shay

Little Falls- Harry A. Shay,94 of 1105 Paradise Road, Little Falls passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Little Fall Hospital. He was born on June 2, 1917 in Miami, Oklahoma the son the late Archie and Neva (Devin) Shay. His father worked for St. Joes Lead Company and was relocated to the Messina area, where he was educated in the Balmat schools. On June 28, 1941 he was united in marriage to his wife of 44 years the former Mary Ann Gee at Grace Congregational Church, St. Johnsville. Mrs. Shay predeceased him on December 18, 1989. Mr. Shay was a veteran of the US Army Air Force, entering the service in September 16, 1941 he served during WWII where he flow 73 missions earning the Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged on September 18, 1945. He was very proud of his service to his country and enjoyed talking about the stories of the war. Besides his family WWII was his life. He was employed for 4 years as a young man by his future father-in-law Charles Gee who owned and operated C and M Forwarding Unit, shipping new automobiles. After returning from WWII he was employed in various jobs before working for 21 years on the New York State Thruway. His last employment was working as a security guard for New York State Department of Parks and Recreation at the Herkimer Homestead, Little Falls, where he retired in 1991after 21 years of service. He is survived by his daughters Jill King and her husband Ronald, Little Falls, Maureen Pontero and her husband Ron, Mohawk, 9 grandchildren Wade and Leif Shay, Andy Sutter, Kelly and Ronny King, Beau, Ross, Sarah and Jenell Binney, 8 great grandchildren Zachary and Josh Sutter, Carter, ShelbyRose and Grady DeCarr, Colton King, Rhylee Binney and Shay Binney. He also had 2 very close and personal friends Sam Jess and a very special friend Grace Sherwood that showed him a lot of care and compassion. He was predeceased by a son Dennis A. Shay, a daughter Bonnie Sutter and a brother Everett Shay who died serving his country in WWII. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills in the spring. There are no public calling hours. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Shay be considered to the Disabled American Veterans, 344 West Genesee Street, Suite 203, Syracuse, NY., 13202. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.