Richard J. Shay

Dick's family moved to Southern California when he was a child. While in Jr. High School he was selected to play the trombone in the Los Angeles Jr. Philharmonic Honors Orchestra. In high school he played in the Sr. Orchestra and also in the American Legion Marching Band.

He played fullback and tackle on the varsity football team.

In 1942 he married Esther and they moved to what is now known as Henderson, Nevada. This was during World War II and they both went to work for Basic Magnesium Inc., until Dick enlisted in the Navy. He was an aviation machinist mate and repaired the Navy's Corsair fighter planes.

After his discharged from the Navy he and Esther moved to Fresno where Dick joined the City Fire Dept. After his promotion to Battalion Chief he was in charge of the Training Division, testing and selecting the new recruits. He supervised their training as well as the practice training of regular fireman.

Dick compiled the first training manual for the department and assisted the City of Fresno in the settlement of the Blue Collar Strike. He also set up the city's plan for the continuity of services in the event of a major disaster.

Dick was a Master Mason in Center Lodge #465. He belonged to a Jeep Club and Duck Club and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was president of the Fresno County Sportsman Club for two terms.

After his retirement from the Fire Dept. he spent many years at Bodega Bay on his boat as a commercial salmon fisherman.

He is survived by his wife Esther, his son and daughter-in-law Daniel and Debra Shay.

A graveside service will be at Fresno Memorial Gardens, Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 10:00 am.

Fresno CA 266-0666

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