Cecil B. Shaw
1925-2023
Cecil Baxter Shaw was born on the 28th of September 1925 to the late Dean and Vera Shaw. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25th 2023 at the age of 97 years.
Cecil was predeceased by his first wife Peggy Shaw (Stiles) in 1989 and his siblings, Winnie Purcell, Gerald Shaw, Harold Shaw, Nadine Graham and Monte Shaw.
Cecil is survived by his loving and devoted current wife, Shirley Delong-Shaw, whom he married in 1990; his beloved sons, Roger Shaw (Eveline) and Gary Shaw (Lori); his sister Amy (Robert) Littlejohn; his Sister in Law, Helen Shaw; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; Step-sons, Neville Delong (Janet) and Dana Delong (Joan), and many step grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces, nephews and extended family.
Cecil served as a driver/mechanic in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. After his release from war-time service in 1947, he returned to the family farm in Simonds, New Brunswick where he eventually realized that he was not cut out to be a successful farmer and he rejoined the RCAF in 1951 where he served until 1977.
Throughout his extensive military career, Cecil always maintained a high level of physical fitness and he competed in national sporting events such as badminton and softball. He also enjoyed a great game of checkers and cribbage (usually winning most of them).
Cecil was renown as a fair but demanding supervisor and it was often said that he was very hard to work for but very easy to work with. After a multitude of military postings throughout Canada and Europe, Cecil finally retired to the Shaw family home in Simonds NB where he was employed for many years driving a school bus and watching his bus-riding school children grow into beautiful young adults.
He was very active in the Royal Canadian Legion and held many positions at the local and provincial levels. If you needed something done, you could always depend upon Cecil to give his best efforts to get it accomplished as quickly and efficiently as possible.
His hallmark kindness, humour and generosity of spirit, endeared him to all that knew him. His life was marked by a legacy of sacrifice in the service of others, his peace well earned. He always answered the call. "First to Volunteer, Last to Complain."
A deeply religious man, Cecil frequently sang "If I asked the Lord to Walk With Me." His life etched the words he sang. A true servant of the Lord, with a life well lived. He was ready to meet his Maker and we look forward to the day we shall see him again.
A Celebration of Life will be held in May 2023 with details to follow. Our sincere thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, Physio and other staff of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Veterans Health Unit at 680 Priestman Street, Fredericton. If so desired, memorial donations can be made to the Veterans Health Unit or a charity of the donor’s choice.
A Celebration of Life for Cecil will be held on Saturday May, 6, 2023 at the Hartland Royal Canadian Legion from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Sunday, May 7th there will be a second service held at 10:00 a.m. at the Simonds Advent Christian Church, followed by the interment in the Middle Simonds Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Britton Funeral Home, 2 High Street, Hartland, NB. www.brittonfh.ca (506)375-4343