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David Shay Obituary
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., on June 9, 1943, he was the son of the late Dr. Edmund L. and Florence L. Turner Shay and was a lifelong resident of Monroe County.
A graduate of Stroudsburg High School, he attended East Stroudsburg University and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.
David's 30-year law enforcement career began in 1965 with the East Stroudsburg Police Department. He then became a police officer with the Stroudsburg Police Department, where he was promoted to Sergeant in 1972 and remained in that capacity until retiring in 1994. He received numerous citations and awards, including the Good Samaritan Award, the Mayor Award for Excellent Arrest presented by the American Police Hall of Fame and the American Police Service Medal issued for distinguished police service presented by the American Law Enforcement Association in Washington D.C.
He was a member of St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church in Stroudsburg where he served as lector and commentator. He was also a life member and past officer of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 75 and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 1106, Stroud Township.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, David M. Shay, and his wife, Pamela, of Monroe County; a son-in-law, James Kern; four grandchildren, Anneka Kern, Russell Kern, David T. Shay and Lyndsey Shay; a sister, Judith Gilly, of Allentown and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Ann Shay-Kern, on Dec. 19, 2004.
There will be a viewing at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Stroudsburg, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Thomas D. McLaughlin as celebrant. Burial will follow in Prospect Cemetery, East Stroudsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial remembrances be made to VNA Hospice of Monroe County, 502 Independence Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 or St. Luke's Church, 818, Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Shay
David Shay
February 25, 2007
We would like to thank all who sent their thoughts,stories and prayers. My father will be greatly missed, he was a positive influence on many people and has impacted many. I was always proud to be named after my father, and i carried on that tradition naming my son David Tyler.I would not be where i am today without the example set by my dad. He worked wo give our family what he could, sending me to college and helping my late sister Lisa. From growing up as a kid all i wanted to do was to be a Policeman. I attained that goal, and carried on the tradition. I also realized that it wasnt something i wanted to do forever. My father dedicated his work life to being a great policeman, and he was. Always doing what was right. That isnt always popular- but he never took the easy way out. Honesty,Dedication and work ehtic are things you cant be taught. Thats the greatest thing that i got from my father- and thats why im where i am today. David E. Shay was a great Father,Husband and Policeman. That was shown by the great respect that was paid to him when he was laid to rest. Respect is earned. My dad earned and deserved it. Our family thanks and appreciates your support!
February 13, 2007
i miss you a lot.
fROM ANONOMYS
Lisa Sargent
February 5, 2007
dear cousin kay and family
i am sorry to hear about cousin dave and i am goin' to miss cousin dave alot and he will be missed very much to the family..
love lisa sargent and kids
Michael Mikowski
February 4, 2007
Sgt. Dave Shay was one of a few people that I have truly respected. A man who made a difference in this life and left a lasting mark. He will never be forgotten.
It is said that Saint Peter guards the Gates of Heaven but it will be Dave that will be letting you in.
My most deepest sympathies to Kay and Family.
Lori Sargent(Staples)
February 2, 2007
Cousin Kay and family,
We will all miss Cousin Dave a lot.May our prays be with your and your family for your lost.
Beverly Sargent(Diehl)
February 2, 2007
Cousin Kay and family,
Sorry for your lost of your husband.May my prays be with the you and your fanily.I will miss Cousin Dave a lot.
Bob Francis
February 1, 2007
I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Dave Shay. I got to know him after he retired and I was the Borough Manager. He helped me fight for better pensions for the Stroudsburg retirees. He was a man of great integrity and he was a gifted storyteller that always made it a pleasure for him to visit my office.
Diane Van buskirk
February 1, 2007
god be with the shay family in the passing of there father and husband and grandfather
Rose Marie German
January 31, 2007
God Bless you Sgt.Shay. May God be with you in your time of loss and may he comfort youto The Shay Family,
I remember when my son was in 3rd grade, Sgt. Shay came to visit the kids @ The Morey School and he was there to talk about saftey. Acouple of days went by and it was in the paper he got hurt in the line of duty down on main street and broke his arm,my son then took a card to school and had all the kids in his class sign it. We sent it to the Police Station. He was so gratefull for the card ,said it really cheered him up. He used to come in where we live and chat with my son . He was a good man and he will be missed. He really cared about the people in this town and he fit his job well , God gave him a gift and he used it well. It was a pleasure we got to know you Sgt. Shay God Bless you ! You will be missed.
Rose Marie and Eric German
Kevin M. Kelly
January 31, 2007
It was with deep sorrow I learned of the untimely passing of Sgt. Dave Shay. Sgt. Shay was a man of deep conviction, extraordinary energy, enormous dedication and a credit to the law enforcement community. I know his family will mourn his loss forever as will those of us who had the distinct pleasure of working with him as members of the Stroudsburg Borough Police Department. "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God" With deepest sympathy, Kevin M. Kelly, Chief of Police ret.
January 31, 2007
God Bless You! We will always be there for you. May you Rest in Peace(R.I.P.)
Love.Tyler Shay and Family Saylorsburg
Maria Groner-Rohrabaugh
January 31, 2007
I am so sorry to learn of Mr. Shay's passing. I grew up off of lower main street, and knew Sgt.Shay, he worked hard to protect our town, when I was little I would sit on our front porch and if he was walking by he would always stop and make conversation, he always had a smile and a kind word, and when I strayed up town one day,the Srgt walked me home. As a teenager he would always remind me not to hang out on main street or to stay away from certain people, But still he was firm in his determination to keep Stroudsburg a safe place to live and raise your family. God Bless you Sgt. Shay.
Joe and Debbie Realmuto
January 31, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John Gilly
January 31, 2007
With love to a great uncle. You are in our hearts forever.
John Gilly, Jane McMahon-Gilly, Ian Gilly and Quinn Gilly
John Wyant
January 31, 2007
David was a fine man and my sympathy goes out to the family for this loss.
John Wyant
([email protected])
Philip Reusswig
January 31, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
January 31, 2007
I miss you! I wish you could come back.
Love, Tyler Shay
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