John A. Shaw

Born April 9, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa, John was working as a bank clerk and serving in the Iowa National Guard when World War II broke out. Both he and his high school buddy volunteered for US Army flight training. While in pilot training to fly the B-25 bomber in Greenville, SC, he met his future wife, Alice B. Evans.

John joined the 12th US Army Air Corp, flying combat missions in the Mediterranean theater. He flew 50 sorties, and then had a thirty day furlough before flying another 15 missions. He earned seven Air Medals and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions while in combat.

After being discharged, he married Alice, the love of his life, and they moved to Newton, MA where he worked for the Auburndale Cooperative Bank, retiring as President in 1982. John and Alice then moved to Popponessset, where they enjoyed gardening, railroading, sailing and activities at the First Church of Christ in Sandwich.

John and Alice had two children, Nancy MacEachern of Yarmouthport, and Tom Shaw, a doctor practicing in Denver until his death three years ago of pancreatic cancer. Alice died 21 years ago, also of cancer. Besides his daughter, John is survived by two grandchildren, Amy Badach of Yarmouth and Thomas J. Shaw of St. Louis.

Memorial services will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the First Church of Christ in Sandwich. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the First Church of Christ, 136 Main Street, Sandwich, MA 02563.