Russell Shaw

Russell Shaw Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2013. He was born on September 13, 1934, to Russell and Gertrude Shaw, both deceased. Russ was a Chartered Life Underwriter and Financial Planning Advisor with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance/Mass Mutual Financial Services from the mid 1960s. He was active in the community as a member of the St Petersburg Junior Chamber of Commerce, St. Petersburg Gateway Rotary Club, Suncoast chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters, as well as, a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He was active in his Florida church, Holy Family Catholic Church, but also had a great love and support for St Marys Catholic Church in Westville. Between 1992 and 1996 Russ walked the 2,166 mile Appalachian Trail, with a total time of approximately 4-1/2 months. Some of his walk served as a fundraiser to aid handicapped and disabled sailors. In 1997 Russ walked the 440-mile “Walk of St James” in Spain. He is survived by: his sister, Darla Payne; two daughters, Betsy (Bob) Freeman and Lauree (Doug) McKay; two grandchildren, Daniel (Lisa) Currier and Lea Freeman; and a much beloved great-grandson, Stanley Joseph Currier; along with three nephews and two nieces, their spouses, and children. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sonna Delhaye. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at St Marys Catholic Church, Westville, with Father Sauppe officiating. A visitation will held from 10 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Sts Peter and Paul Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to fund ALS research or to the Westville Library or Westville Depot & Historical Museum.