Obituary of Howard Sleggs Shay

Dansville/Canaseraga- Howard S. Shay age 86 passed Tuesday morning October 9, 2012, at his home on Oak Hill Rd., in Dansville. He was born in Canaseraga on February 3, 1926, a son of the late Walter and "Bessie" Sleggs Shay. On February 14, 1973, he was married to Corinne S. Shay, who survives. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Jeanne and Trudy. Howard entered the United States Marine Corp and fought in the Pacific Islands and endured the entire tour of Iwo Jima. When he came home from WWII, he opened a restaurant on Main Street in Canaseraga. His father, Walter, founded Shay Construction Co. in 1947, and Howard assumed ownership in 1964. One of his first projects included Brae Burn Recreation of which he had partial ownership. He also owned I-Deal Lumber and Hardware in Dansville from 1971-1987. He was a warden of Trinity Episcopal Church. When asked how he was doing, his favorite response was "miserable, thank you." He loved his farm, family and friends, and enjoyed singing and playing guitar. The sound of his deep, baritone voice will be missed by many. Howard is survived by a daughter Carol Shay (Douglas) Acomb of Livonia, two sons, Lance (Sue) Shay and Greg Shay both of Canaseraga; two step-children, Todd and Lynne Goewey, his grandchildren, Thomas, Andy, Nicolas, Angela, Jesse and Marygrace Shay, Heather, Courtney and Matthew Acomb, great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Landon, Alex and Hailey; a brother, William (Henrietta) Shay of Albion, two sisters Greta Karr and Carolyn (Donald) Forsythe both of CA, adopted brother, Vincent Phillips of Rochester, caring and loving caregivers Dionne and Leigh Wagner, and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call Friday from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Canaseraga, where a funeral service will follow calling hours. Interment with full military honors will be in Canaseraga Cemetery, Canaseraga. Arrangements are by the Hindle Funeral Home, Inc., 271 Main St., Dansville. Online remembrances may be left at HindleFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church in Canaseraga.