Kenneth Walter Shilay Sr.

(Courier News)

KENNETH WALTER SHILAY, SR.
AGE: 66 NORTH PLAINFIELD
Kenneth Walter Shilay Sr., 66, of North Plainfield died Sunday, June 7, 2009 at home. Born in Plainfield, he lived much of his early life in Scotch Plains where he graduated from high school in 1960. Because of his interest in cars and engines, he subsequently opened a business, "Shilay Automotive" in Scotch Plains before joining Carteret Auto & Truck Parts in the mid 1960's. In the early 80's, Kenny went back into business on his own and built "Cast Technology, Inc." an automotive and diesel engine re-manufacturing business. He truly was a "Jack of all Trades and a self motivated master of all" who was admired and well respected in his field. He was an accomplished carpenter and learned the building trade from his father who was a well known builder in the area. Kenny, who he was known by, enjoyed computer programming and flying radio control helicopters. His real passion was drag racing where he held numerous national records in the 50's & 60's. The pride and joy of his life was his 1957 Corvette which held the C Sports national record for the NHRA. He enjoyed building engines for his fellow car & boat racing enthusiasts and sometimes sponsored them as well. Kenny was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Plainfield.
He was predeceased by his father, Walter Shilay in 1960. Kenny is survived by his wife of 40 years, Margaret L. Shilay; three Children, Kimberly Conover (Keith) of Flemington, Kenneth Shilay, Jr. (Monica) of Asbury and Bonnie Eggeman of Glen Gardner, NJ; Three Grandchildren, Kyle, Nicole and Amanda; Three Step Grandchildren, Thomas, Jeffrey and Ryan; His mother, Johanna Freeman of Sacramento, CA; Two Sisters, Christine Shilay Stromberg of Russellville, AK and Joanne Shilay of Folsom, CA. & several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Gathering will be held in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home For Funerals (mccriskinfuneralhome.com), 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield on Thursday, June 18, from 6-9 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held in the Grace Episcopal Church, on 7th Street in Plainfield, on Father's Day, Sunday June 21, at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kenny's name to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation (CCHF) 140 Littleton Road, P.O. Box 200, Parsippany, NJ 07054, would be greatly appreciated.