Edward Griffin Shay

Edward Griffin “Griff” Shay died peacefully on December 3, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. A resident of Celebration, Florida, he was born in Croton Falls, New York in 1928 to Edward and Marjorie Shay. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Nan, his son, Griffin, and his sister, Jeanne. Griff is survived by his sons Christopher and Tad, his daughters Hillary and her husband Frank, Gwen and her husband Kerry, and five grandchildren, Liam, Neale, Ambrose, Peter and Annie.

Griff married the love of his life, Nan, in New York City in 1954, spending their newlywed years living in an historic row house on Manning Street in Philadelphia. They had five children and subsequently lived in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Belle Mead, New Jersey; Suffern, New York and Leesburg, Virginia.

Griff had a B.S. degree in chemistry from Fordham University in New York City (1951) and a Masters degree in industrial chemistry from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Science (1954). He held 39 patents relating to chemistry from the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, DC. Additionally, Griff served in the United States Marines from 1945-46.

Griff had a long career in the science field, working for Atlantic Refining Company, Onyx Chemicals, Avon Products and the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. As the Senior Program Officer for the Academy, he managed the research grants program for scientists in developing countries. He authored the National Research Council’s publication Saline Agriculture, Salt Tolerant Plants for Developing Countries, and traveled around the world to educate governments about saline agriculture, hydroponic farming, food sustainability and alternative fuel sources. Griff contributed to numerous other books and studies including Fisheries Technologies for Developing Countries; Food, Fuel, and Fertilizer from Organic Wastes; Alcohol Fuels: Options for Developing Countries; Diffusion of Biomass Energy Technologies in Developing Countries; Underexploited Tropical Plants with Promising Economic Value; Directory of U.S. Courses in Biotechnology for Developing Country Scientists; and Microcomputer Applications in Education and Training For Developing Countries. He also contributed to the Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary published by The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc. Griff served on the Board on Science and Technology for International Development (BOSTID) as a Professional Associate.

Along with Nan, Griff was the co-writer of The County of Loudoun: An Illustrated History. Many happy family memories include summer vacations on Long Beach Island, New Jersey; Chincoteague and Assateague Islands in Virginia; Lewes, Delaware; the Dominican Republic and the Turks and Caicos, as well as a memorable Disney Cruise to the Bahamas.

Griff retired from the National Academy of Sciences in 1993 and moved from the home he and Nan built in Leesburg, Virginia to Lewes, Delaware. He relocated to Celebration, Florida in 2006 where he spent many fun-filled years visiting Disney World with his children and grandchildren, especially since he shared a birthday with Mickey Mouse. He was a familiar customer at Denny’s in Kissimmee, where Val and Anita were among his favorite waitresses.

In his free time Griff enjoyed keeping up with his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, following national politics, reading the daily newspaper, doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, watching Clint Eastwood movies and The Simpsons, eating popcorn balls or pistachios, any type of fireworks, seeing Broadway shows, opera and classical music, having a good laugh, and enjoying special times and holidays with his extended family. He was dearly loved by all who knew him and meant the world to many, especially his children and grandchildren.