Richard William Shay

Richard Shay, 81 of Indialantic, passed away Saturday, August 28, 2010. Mr. Shay was the son of Albert and Eleanor Shay of Bay City, Michigan. He graduated from Manistee High School and received a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Mr. Shay honorably served in the United States Navy as Communications Officer on submarines and destroyers in the Korean War. He started a career in the aerospace industry in Michigan at Bendix Corporation where he worked on numerous space programs including Apollo, the Space Shuttle and deep space programs. Mr. Shay relocated with his family to Melbourne, FL in 1968 during the heyday of the Florida aerospace industry growth where he began a 23 year career at Radiation, Inc. which became Harris Corporation. Since his retirement, Mr. Shay has worked with charitable organizations, such as the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. He served on the Board of the South Brevard Sharing Center. Mr. Shay also enjoyed playing tennis, golf, fishing, and attending spring baseball games. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Lee (Meyer) Shay and sons, Robert Dennis Shay (Kathy) Arlington, VA, Stephen Albert Shay (Katherine), New Smyrna Beach, FL, James Edward Shay (Linda) Gulf Breeze, FL, Michael John Shay (Kelly) Fairfiew, TX and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Andrew Shay and his brother, John Allen Shay. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 3, 2010 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, a visitation will be at 10:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service, with the reception to follow after the service at Holy Name. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 3050 N. Highway A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903