Donald Shaw Harry

WILMINGTON -- Donald Shaw Harry, 71, of Wilmington, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, after a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family.

Mr. Harry was born June 17, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, to David P. Harry Jr. and Thelma Shaw Harry. He graduated from the University School in Ohio in 1950. He earned his B.A. from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1954, where he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity.

Mr. Harry served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1959. Upon graduating from Harvard Law School in 1962, he practiced law in Massachusetts until 1975, after which he moved to Wilmington and practiced law until this year.

Mr. Harry enjoyed his friendships and had a lifelong passion for actively participating in sports, problem solving and the art of lively discussion. He will be remembered for his love of golf, and his discipline on the driving range before teeing off. Those who met him will not forget his wry sense of humor and quick wit.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Syner, to whom he was married for 48 years; five children and their families: Marian and Peter Mumford and their children, Charles and Holly, of Richmond; Stephen and Kim Harry and their children, Matthew and Evan, of Underhill; Susan and Robbie Hall and their children, Kelsey and William, of Charlotte; Jonathan and Jill Harry and their children, Ian and Cael, of Cathey's Valley, Calif.; Carol Harry and Steve Gagliardone and their children, Lucia and Ty, of Sharon; his brother, David P. Harry III, and sister-in-law, Shirley Harry, of Redlands, Calif., and their five children.

Services will be held at a future date. For those who wish, contributions in his memory may be made to any of the scholarship programs at Wilmington High School.

Mr. Harry's family would like to thank the people at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for the care they gave.u