Obituary of Russell Shaw

Shaw, Jr., Russell “Russ”  
Bridgeport, Michigan  

 

Our beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and friend Russell Shaw walked thru Heaven’s gate on August 10, 2024 surrounded by his family.  He was born to the late Russell Shaw Sr. and Josephine (Kolba) Shaw September 30, 1939. He married the Love of his Life Pamela “Pam” Kay Kryska in November of 1962; she survives him, after celebrating 61 amazing years together.  Russ was a United States Veteran. He served in the United States Army 1963 – 1969 and his tours included  
Germany as well as, the 30^th April USAR. He always showed his unwavering love for his family and friends.  He will always be remembered for being a public service icon around his Bridgeport Township community, as many loved and respected him.  He was always a stern straight shooter, an honest, hardworking man, who would look you in the eye with a firm handshake which was also his way of sealing the deal.  Russ was always busy; he had many talents including his cement work, known as Russell Shaw Cement Contracting, Shaw Tree Service, and his snow plowing business (Shaw Snowplowing). He continued to work thru his retirement with years snow plowing, lawn cutting for neighbors, as well as, doing small engine repairs. His BobCat was his favorite machinery that he had.  He said his BobCat was like one of his kids.  Russ had a fond appreciation of watching the Detroit Tigers baseball games, his vast collection of street rods over the years, which all were show cars, (many winning trophies), hunting on his 80 acres of land in Standish, snowmobiling, and fishing with his friends. Russ watched over everyone in the neighborhood, and if anyone needed help of any kind, they knew where to go; “The Shaw’s house.”   

 

Russ will always be remembered by his iconic crew cut and a toothpick in his mouth.    

 

Russ’s snowplowing customers throughout Bridgeport will deeply miss him.  He will be sorely missed especially by his favorite little neighborhood friend, whom he adored, Omayia Blanco who loved Russ like no other.   

 

Surviving besides his wife, Pam, are his two daughters, Michelle Shaw – Voorhees of Lansing and Lisa Shaw and her spouse Tony Escobedo of Burton. Russ also leaves behind his grandchildren; one granddaughter, Mallory & Stacey Voorhees, and an incredibly special grandson in which was his youngest friend, that was his backbone, who carries with him some of Russ’s legendary traits, Brenden Russell-Frank Scott, of Bridgeport, and one great-granddaughter Ellis Voorhees. Russ’s siblings, Terry Shaw, Debra (John) Aten, Cheri (Earl) Reinbold, brother-in-law Robert Zapata. Russ leaves behind his special sister-in-law, Myra (Kryska) Newville, and many nieces and nephews who also worked for Russ throughout the years, saying they never worked as hard as Russ, and he would work circles around them.    

  

Russell was preceded in death by his beloved Parents, Siblings, Patsy (Pete) Gobeske, Marie (Carl) Strickland, and Christine Zapata, and a special brother-in-law Dennis Newville.  

 

The Shaw family would like to Thank Covenant Hospice & Home care for their care, The Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan, and his remarkably close best friends and dear neighbors, the Blanco Family who lived across the street from Russ & Pam over 50 years.  Montana Street will never be the same.    

  

A Private Service will be held at Great Lakes National Cemetery.   To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

 

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