ERIC WALLACE SHAW

1937 - 2023

SHAW, Eric Wallace Passed away in his sleep on Saturday, January 21, 2023, in Needham, Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Shaw (née Magnie); and four children, Alexandra Ablon, Ben Shaw, Daniel Shaw, and Caitlin (Josh) Henig; and, as well as their mother, his previous wife Joan Shaw (née Lundstrom). He was born on September 14, 1937, in a hospital elevator in Trenton, NJ, to Hildegarde (née Brunnow) and Robert Shaw. His sister, Jean Shaw, preceded him in death. His life was as unique as his entrance. He was valedictorian of The Solebury School in New Hope, PA, in 1955, graduated Harvard University in 1959, and Harvard Law School in 1963. He also served in the United States Air Force reserves. His career as an international corporate attorney began in Bogota, Colombia, and led him to New York City (Battle Fowler LLP followed by Paul Hastings LLP). For six decades, he traveled and worked with clients throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean, where he served as the first general counsel to The Mustique Company. His clients praised his ethics and fairness. One of his many achievements was drafting the formation documents for the first national women's league, the USL W-League, established in 1995. He was an avid student of history, a lover of the arts, literature and all sports, not least his beloved Saint Louis Cardinals. A devoted jazz aficionado, he was also at one point the only resident in the country of Colombia to possess the Beatles' full catalog of recordings. He later discovered Led Zeppelin, and, later in life, became a prolific theatergoer, amassing hundreds of Broadway Playbills. He spent his life traveling the world extensively, both privately and professionally. His will to live was legendary: surviving a gunshot wound at 13, multiple car crashes, a ski accident, multiple bouts of cancer, and COVID-19. He touched so many lives with his generosity, kindness, and service. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone make a donation in his name to Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org A Service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, May 20th, 2023, at Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.