Gary F. Shaw

Gary F. Shaw, 78, of Depot Rd. in Buckland, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

Gary was born in Greenfield, MA on August 23, 1946 the son of Bertram F. and Phyllis M. (Coutu) Shaw. He was a graduate of the former Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls and received a graduate degree in Refrigeration Engineering.

He started his career as an independent contractor and later moved on to Heat Craft, Inc., a division of Lennox International, a provider of climate control products. He traveled throughout the U.S. developing and servicing refrigeration systems and controls. He retired from Heat Craft after 30 years and once again became an independent contractor – Shaw Refrigeration. He was a well-known and respected technician who developed many clients on the East coast.

When he was away from his work, he enjoyed anything that brought him outside. Hunting since he was a kid with his father, fishing, riding his motorcycle, tending his animals and small farm. When he was out in the woods hunting, sometimes he would sit down and write a little in his notebook. Short phrases, verses or words of wisdom.

Each year he looked forward to the Christmas season so he could put on his suit and become Santa for the day. He truly enjoyed sitting down with the kids, talking to them and listening to their wishes. He was a true Santa because he was larger than life and had big belly laugh that made the kids smile. He was a kid at heart and loved to pull pranks on anyone within reach. You always wanted to check your seat, your silverware and your beverage when you returned to the table Gary was sitting at. You just never knew what might be waiting for you. If you are - or were a bartender in western Mass, you may have heard a deep voice say “Ohh nuurse” which would mean he was out of something.

Survivors include his mother of Buckland, his wife Jennifer (Curtis) Shaw, sons Eric (Tracy) Shaw of Seattle, WA, Steven (Amanda) Jonker of Orlando, FL, daughters Beth Shaw of Bennington, VT, Karin (Charles Wu) Shaw of Seattle, WA, Lilly and Iris Shaw of Buckland, grandchildren Camille (Sam) Archibald, Aiden Shaw-Pigeon and James Wu, brother Bernie (Linda) Shaw of Greenfield, sister Marie (Guy) Hodgkins of OK, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his first wife Leslie (Hicks) Shaw in 2005.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday, May 16 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Blue Rock Restaurant in Shelburne Falls.

There are no other services.

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