James N. Shaw

James Nelson Shaw, 82, entered into eternal peace on October 5, 2019 surrounded by his family at Mount St. Vincent Care Center.  James was a lifelong resident of Holyoke, MA who was born on June 8, 1937 to the late George W. and Helen W. (Nelson) Shaw.  Upon graduating Holyoke Trade School, he joined the Air National Guard. After serving two years with the Guard he joined the Navy and served on the USS Leyte in which was a proud Veteran. He was employed by the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer, retiring in 1988.  Upon retiring he was a Military Police Officer at Westover Air Force Base and a Supervisor at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Springfield. He was a proud Freemason for 59 years becoming a Master Mason at William Whiting Lodge in 1960 and later affiliating with Mount Holyoke Lodge in South Hadley, MA. He was a member of Robert Morris Chapter #51 Order of the Eastern Star in which he was Past Worthy Patron.  He was a Noble in the Melha Shrine Temple in Springfield, MA, serving on the Legion of Honor for many years.  He also was a York Rite Mason.  James was member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 11 in Chicopee.  In retirement James spent many hours volunteering at the Holyoke Senior Center and Holyoke Soldier’s Home.  In 2014, for the first time when it was ever awarded, he was honored along with his wife, Marjorie, as volunteers of the year for the Holyoke Senior Center. James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years Marjorie A. (Wilhelmi) Shaw in which he showed his admiration for her by donating a display case that sits in the lobby of Holyoke Medical Center celebrating her accomplishments in nursing and the former nursing school.  He also leaves his sons, James N. Shaw and his wife Kelly of Sutton, MA, David W. Shaw and his fiancée, Charlotte, of Windsor Locks, CT, and a daughter, Heather A. Shaw-Thompson of Torrington, CT.  He also leaves behind four grandchildren, David W. Shaw, Jr., Matthew D. Shaw, Hannah M. Thompson, and Ty J. Thompson.  A brother Frederick B. Shaw of Windsor Locks, CT, along with his brother in-laws, sister in-laws, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother George J. Shaw. James was a devoted parishioner of the First Baptist Church in Holyoke, MA. The family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to Minister Theresa Temple and the parishioners for their love and support they had shown to James in the last months of his life. The family invites you to come celebrate James’ life on October 10, 2019. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dillon Funeral Home, 124 Chestnut Street in Holyoke.  A funeral will begin at Dillon’s on October 11, 2019 at 8:15 a.m., followed by a service at the First Baptist Church, 1976 Northampton Street in Holyoke.  James will be laid to rest at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA with military honors following the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Holyoke Medical Center or the Baptist Church.

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