Name: Calling hours for Donald J. Shanley Esq
Start: 2023-03-31T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-03-31T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Bryce Funeral Home Inc. - Troy

Shanley, Donald J. Esq.
SARATOGA SPRINGS - Donald J. Shanley, Esq., 93, died peacefully on March 25, 2023.
Born in Troy on January 26, 1930, he was the third of eight children of the late W. Joseph and Rose (Cavanaugh) Shanley. Don graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1947 and Siena College in 1951. He was the first Siena College graduate ever to attend and graduate from Harvard Law School in 1954.
Don was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1954 and served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery from 1954 to 1956. With his father, he then founded the law firm Shanley and Shanley in Troy where he practiced for 50 years, later joined by his brother Terence E. Shanley. Don served as an ADA and public defender of Rensselaer County and as deputy corporation counsel for the City of Troy. In 2004 he joined Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg and Griffin, retiring from practice in 2019.
Don was a lifetime member and past president of the Rensselaer County Bar Association and a member of the Saratoga County and New York State Bar Associations.
Don was an avid reader of history, focusing on the Civil War and World War I and II as well as the works of Irish author, James Joyce. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Diane C. Kutey Shanley, and together they toured widely throughout Europe. A die-hard Mets fan who also loved summer days at the Saratoga Race Course, Don cherished time spent with family at their camp on Saratoga Lake and at his vacation home in St. John, U.S.V.I.
Don is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Diane; daughter, Evanne Shanley (Justin Giron) of Savage, Md.; sons, Donald Shanley Jr. of Wilton, John (Rachel) Shanley of Margate, N.J., and Stephen (MaryEllen) Shanley of Portsmouth, N.H.; and by his stepdaughter, Christine Simmon (Douglas Boothe) of Arlington, Va. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrew (Karissa) Shanley, Meghan Shanley; Mark Thomas (Erin), Greg Thomas (Madeleine); Michael, Matthew, and Catherine Shanley; and step-granddaughter, Claire Simmon. He is further survived by his great-grandchildren: Juanito and Shanley Malapit-Thomas, Ava Shanley and Wesley Thomas. Don is survived by his brother, Terence (Elizabeth) of Troy. Also surviving are a number of nieces and nephews of the Grennon, McCabe, Shanley, Vavasour and Verdile families. Don was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine (Cakouros) Shanley; sisters, Eileen McCabe, Kathryn Vavasour, Bette Ann Grennon and Joan Verdile; and his brothers, W. Joseph Shanley II and Kevin M. Shanley.
Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Ave., Troy on Friday, March 31, with a funeral service on Saturday, April 1, at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Paul M. Carney, officiating. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Saratoga Springs.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the charity of one's choice in memory of Don may be made and is appreciated.
To sign the guestbook, light a candle or for service directions, visit brycefuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Mar. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Shanley

13 Entries

Dave Bailey

March 22, 2024

Don was a brilliant man who had an incredible sense of humor. I enjoyed working with Don for 30 plus years. I miss you Don, you always made me laugh not to mention that you saved my butt on more than one occasion. Thank you Don. I hope you´re enjoying your new home with our Lord and Savior.

Robert Redmond

April 1, 2023

To Diane and the family and friends of Don Shanley,

As a young lawyer in Troy during the early 70's, I joined other members of the bar at social events held at The Troy Club downtown. It was at these events that I first became acquainted with a man who would have a pronounced influence on my life, both professionally and personally. Don was the proverbial "hail fellow well met" and, as the passage of time would prove, a man of great intellect who commanded the respect of the clients he represented and the legal adversaries he faced in the course of his practice. I count myself privileged to have been opposing counsel on occasion because it required all the skill and preparation I could muster to adequately represent my clients in the face of such a formidable opponent.

There eventually came a time when Don and I joined forces in the successful litigation of a landmark civil rights case that was ultimately upheld in the Supreme Court of the United States. Don's subsequent remark that "we made a good team" was the highest compliment of my legal career.

Of even greater significance was the quality representation that Don provided as my personal attorney. On many occasions, his guiding hand enabled me to navigate the turbulent waters of life and reach safe harbor. There were valuable life lessons I learned along the way for which I will be forever grateful.

Although now gone from our midst, Don will remain a source of inspiration for all of us privileged to have known him. As we grieve his loss, we can derive a measure of solace from our memories of share times together with a truly remarkable man.

Rest in peace, my dear friend,

Bob Redmond

Kevin Rosney

March 29, 2023

Very sorry for your loss

Wendy Willard

March 28, 2023

My Dad, Walter Willard who passed away 2/16/2023 graduated from Catholic High with Don. When I needed legal assistance, my Dad brought me to his office. He helped me through a tough time.

Jim Shepard

March 28, 2023

Don Mon sorry about your dad Shep LSI

Dave Bailey

March 28, 2023

I want to send my sincere condolences to the Shanley family. Don was a great man and a dear friend. I worked in the Engineering Department of the City of Troy for 35 years and worked with Don on many lawsuits brought against the city. Don never lost any of the lawsuits that I worked with him on. He was a special human being who I had the upmost respect and admiration for. He will be sorely missed. Enjoy your new heavenly home my old friend with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ . I hope to see you again someday. Dave Bailey

Gail (McDonald) Gosnell

March 28, 2023

To the Shanley Family I send my sincere condolences. I was Don's secretary at the Corporation Counsel's Office many years ago. I remember being quite nervous about meeting him. I certainly should not have been! He was a lovely man, a true gentleman and very intelligent. Rest in peace Don. It was my pleasure to have known you.

Arnold Greenberg

March 28, 2023

Sincere sympathy to the family

An old acquaintance

March 28, 2023

To The Entire Shanley Family - Sending heartfelt condolences on your loss - I met Mr Shanley many years ago while a friend of John´s - Even tho it´s been quiet along time I remember his warm welcome - May He Rest in Everlasting Peace

Mike McNulty

March 27, 2023

To all of Don´s Family: I am very sorry for your loss.

Tim Hulbert

March 27, 2023

Tim Hulbert

March 27, 2023

Tim Hulbert

March 27, 2023

Let´s go Mets! Our team has lost a sweet loving gentleman. We all loved Donal and his daily predictions of sports, politics and general interests. Donal Bennachta Naom Padraig !! Bonnie & Tim

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results