Charlton
Lt. Col. (Ret) Gerard Shirar died November 14, 2022.
He was the son of William Shirar and Margarete Katherine (Murphy) Shirar, brother of Paul T. Shirar and Edith Marie (Shirar) O’Connor
All deceased. Gerard was born in Boston and raised in Roslindale and Needham Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Needham High School,
Class of 1948, where he was class treasurer of his graduating class. In his senior year he was selected to attend Boys State sponsored by the
American Legion. He attended Purdue University on a basketball scholarship, graduating in 1952, and is also a graduate of
Massachusetts School of Law where he earned a Juris Doctor. As a career US Army officer, he served his country for twenty years and saw
Service in both Korea and Vietnam retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Following his military service, he served as Director of Security for the
Museum of Fine Arts Boston for ten years, followed by ten years as Security Manager with the American International Group (AIG).
After leaving AIG he practiced law in Everett, Massachusetts for sixteen years. He is the author of eight award winning novels and was married
For 58 years to Muriel (Campbell) Shirar who died in 2015. He is survived by his daughters, Suzanne Shirar and Janet (Shirar) Lahme and four grandchildren Jeffery Wilder, Shirar (Wilder) Patterson, Michael Lahme, Morgan Lahme and four great grandchildren, Nolan Wilder,
Sam Wilder, Wade Patterson and Cale Patterson. He will be buried in the National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. There will be a private family
Service.
Donations made be made to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.
The ROBERT J MILLER – CHARLTON Funeral Home, 175 Old Worcester Road is assisting with the funeral arrangements.