WEBSTER – John M. “Jack” Shaw, 80, of Highland Street, died Saturday, Oct. 15, in Hubbard Regional Hospital.
He leaves his wife of 56 years, Florence M. (Morse) Shaw; twin daughters, Susan Shaw Ostrowski and her husband Dr. Edward Ostrowski of Burlington, North Carolina, and Nancy Shaw Chateauneuf and her husband Russell A. Chateauneuf of Dudley; five grandchildren, Laura Lee Ostrowski, Leslie Ann Ostrowski, David Edward Ostrowski, Peter Shaw Chateauneuf and Michael Morse Chateauneuf; nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Stochaj, in 1986.
He was born in Webster, the son of Michael and Lillian (Grenier) Shaw, and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from St. Louis High School in 1942, and was an outstanding pitcher for the St. Louis Cavaliers.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II. While serving aboard the cruiser USS San Diego, John saw action in 13 major battles in the Pacific. On August 27, 1946, the San Diego was the first major allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay since the beginning of the war. She then helped in the occupation of the Yokosuka Naval Base and the surrender of the Japanese battleship Nagato. After having steamed over 300,000 miles, the San Diego returned to San Francisco on September 14, 1946. Her last service was to take part in operation “Magic Carpet” in bringing American troops home.
Mr. Shaw worked as a technician in fiber optics at the American Optical Company in Southbridge for 36 years, retiring in 1987. While there, he also worked on government projects for NASA.
He was a communicant of Saint Louis Church. He was first a member of the Thompson Speedway Golf Club and then the Webster-Dudley Golf Club until last year. He belonged to the USS San Diego Veteran Group. He enjoyed golf and fishing, and was heavily involved in his grandchildren’s athletic activities.
The funeral will be held Thursday, Oct. 20, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake St. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery. Calling hours are from 6:00 to 8:30 PM Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the funeral home. The family suggests donations be made to St. Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake St.,Webster, MA 01570