Joseph W. Shay

Shay, Joseph W. TROY Joseph W. Shay, of Troy, the beloved husband of Mary Carolyn "Carrie" Pfau, passed on to heaven on January 24, 2022. His much-loved children, Lori Ann and Timothy, were by his side. Joe and Carrie lived, and raised their family, in Troy, Syracuse, Florida, and Lake George. Always proud of his Troy roots, Joe stayed close to his childhood friends from Troy. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn of 65 years; and their beloved children, Lori Ann Shay-Posner (David) and Timothy Shay (Deirdra). Joe is also survived by many loving grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He is anxiously awaited in heaven by all those dear family and friends that have gone before him including his beloved parents, Dr. Norbert and Ethel Shay; and his beloved brothers and sisters (and their spouses), Norbert Shay (Mary), Noma Clapp (William), Sheila Barrett (James), Paul Shay (Regina), and Nadine Glenning (Robert). To best understand Joe, one needs to know his formative experiences and life choices. Joe's devotion to his wife and family can be best captured by his wedding vow to Carolyn to make her "love and happiness his principal goal in life." As a lifelong Marine, and what Marine isn't a lifelong Marine, he was Semper Fidelis to this vow and to his family. More than most, he knew the value of family having lost his father as a small child during the depression and raised by a single mother who herself was disabled and lacked a social safety net we all now take as commonplace. Joe graduated from the La Salle Institute in Troy, St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vt. and received a master's degree from Siena College in Loudonville. As an Eagle Scout, it was only natural for Joe to pause his formal education and join the United States Marine Corps. rising to a corporal in the Intelligence Services. Joe was a graduate of the Westinghouse Apparatus Sales Training Program in Pittsburgh, Pa. Joe's need to rely only on himself took him into the new and emerging field of silicone and semiconductors eventually becoming the president of Carler Products Corporation, vice president of Sales Coastal Communications in Carson City, Nev., and executive vice president of Wadsworth Manufacturing Associates with clients as diverse as Westinghouse and Chris-Craft. Joe's work was a means to keep his vow to Carolyn, to support his family and to create those life experiences we all cherish. Summers spent on Assembly Point at Lake George, beginning regularly in 1962, provided the backdrop for countless adventures on the lake, who can forget Joe jumping off his boathouse at the age of 84. Many of the world's problems were discussed, debated, and solved (if only Washington would listen) on the front porch overlooking the Happy Family Islands. Dozens of family members and friends learned to water ski with the help of friends, neighbors and the duo of Joe and Carolyn. Joe at the wheel and Carolyn at the stern delivering a ski rope to waiting skiers in the water like a cowboy lassoing its calf. Joe's steadfast willingness to keep repairing their Chris-Craft as well as his ability to get it started was legendary. Many lifelong friendships were formed around the waterfront where something was always happening. During the early '90s, Joe and Carolyn became regular snowbirds and spent six months at Terra Marr Condominium in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. and continued with cultural experiences in local symphony and local cruises with their fellow midwestern and Canadian snowbirds. The family would like to thank the nurses and aides at Sunrise of Crestwood Assisted Living, especially Donna, Angela, Hillary, and Chrystal, for their loving care for Joe over these last four years and especially during his last month of life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass, which will be held with an honor guard, in the Holy Innocents Catholic Church, 431 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake George Association, P.O. Box 408, Lake George, NY, 12845, 518-668-3558 or at LakeGeorgeAssociation.org in Joe's name.