Gerard J. McShane

Waltham – Mr. Gerard J. McShane, of Clearwater, Florida, died Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Westchester Gardens Rehabilitation Center in Clearwater. He was 91.

Gerard was born in Waltham on June 27, 1925, a son the late Joseph and Teresa (Hardiman) McShane. After graduating from Saint Charles High School he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Pacific.

Four days into the Second Battle of Guam, on July 25, 1944, Gerard suffered serious shrapnel wounds that required a trip home and a year in the hospital to recover. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

While still in the service he married his sweetheart, Florence M. Vallely, in Saint Charles Church in Waltham. They lived in Waltham before moving to Weston in 1962 and then to Florida in 1994.

After he got out of the service he partnered with his father running McShane Oil Company of Waltham. After the business was sold he took a job with Bentley College in Waltham as their equipment manager, retiring in 1989.

He was a lifetime swimmer and jogger and remained physically fit well into his senior years. He could often be found playing billiards with his buddies and kept track of all Boston sports from his Florida home.

In addition to his wife of seventy-one years, Florence, he leaves his children, Michael G. McShane and his wife, Ann, of Naples, Florida, James J. McShane and his wife, Pauline, of Natick, Marsha J. McShane and her husband, Walter Czmut, Jr., of Watertown, Edward J. McShane and his wife, Sheila, Stephen A. McShane and his wife, Victoria, all of Natick, Joyce A. Melone and her husband, Michael, of Littleton, Patrick J. McShane and his wife, Theresa, of Holliston and Maura K. McShane and her fiancé, Timothy Leaver, of New Port Richey, Florida; his sister, Marjorie Pageau of Waltham; 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Gerard was also the brother of the late Muriel Parker and Catherine Creamer.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gerard's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, August 28th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Charles Parish, 133 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451.