Herbert A. Shay Jr. passed away on November 17, 2024, at the Midwest Senior Care Center in Galena. In accordance with his wishes, he will be buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dewitt, NY, and cremation rites have been accorded. The Furlong Funeral Chapel in Galena is assisting the family. Herb was born on December 30, 1929, in Elmira NY, the beloved only child of Herbert Shay Sr. and Jeanne (Herschfield) Shay. Due to his family’s frequent moves, he attended schools throughout the Midwest before eventually finishing high school at Culver Military Academy in Culver, IN. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College. where he enjoyed sharing stories about the year, he took off to work on a ship bound for South America, attending lectures with Robert Frost, and an interview he did with Richard Nixon. He went on to receive his master’s degree in teaching from Syracuse University. Music played a significant role in his life; he played the piano, clarinet, and saxophone, and his clarinet playing earned him scholarships for both high school and college. Herbert retired from the Syracuse City School District, where he believed in the potential of every student. In his retirement, he enjoyed singing with Nostalgia Notes and the Dewitt Choralieres, entertaining many nursing homes with their performances and skits. He was an avid hiker, was a member of the ADK, liked bird watching, and loved teaching his daughter about trees, plants, and birds. Herb is survived by his daughter, Margaret (John) Wachter, and two grandchildren, Johnathon and Sophia Wachter. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls at mercyhome.org.
Herbert A. Shay Jr.
Dear Shay Family,
I remember Mr. Shay from Nottingham High School when he was a substitute teacher for a few days in my algebra class. The reason why I remember him is because of the captivating stories he would tell. The date was the year 1982. I remember I saw his class ring from Dartmouth, and I told him that I wanted to apply to school there. My guidance counselor discouraged me from applying there as an African American student. Mr. Shay assured me that I could achieve any goal I set my mind to. Every time I saw him around the school, he would remind me to send my application. In summary, I submitted my application and was accepted! I am also a practicing physician now in the Navy, and I live in Chicago with my wife. I did see Mr. Shay sometime in the late 1980s, and I think he had on a security guard uniform on the Centro Bus in Syracuse. I wanted to say hello to him, but the bus was so overcrowded, and I needed to get off at the next stop. Anyway, I never forgot about him after all these years. He was a very kind man. He had a lasting effect on me. God bless him, you and your family