George Bernard Shaw (Bernard) was born on August 23, 1953, at Providence Hospital in Seattle, Washington to Orias Douglas (née Lymas) and Robert Creighton. Bernard was their only child and was preceded in death by his parents.
Bernard grew up in the Madison Valley neighborhood and attended Harrison Grade School, just a few blocks from home. After finishing grade school, he went to Meany Junior High School, walking nearly a mile to school each day. He later attended Garfield High School, where he excelled in basketball, baseball, and football. After graduating from Garfield in 1971, Bernard continued his education at Bellevue Community College (BCC) where he also played on the men’s basketball team.
In 1975, Bernard welcomed his first child, a daughter, Katrice Nicole Shaw, with her mother Cecilia Williams. Around the same time, Bernard helped his mother open a small neighborhood business in the Central District - Pal’s Tavern, located at 21st & Union. The tavern quickly became a beloved local spot, know for its warm, family-like atmosphere. It was at Pal’s Tavern that Bernard met Karen Bash. The two fell in love and were together for several years before getting married. Though they had no children together, they shared many meaningful years before divorcing. In 1981, Bernard welcomed his second child, a son, Bernard DeShawn Shaw, with his mother Joanne Wiley.
Bernard had a lifelong passion for sports, especially baseball. From his days with the Longacre Colts in Little League to playing as an adult with the Playmakers, he was a standout athlete. Known by some as “Mr. Baseball,” he was admired for his versatility—he played shortstop, pitched, and hit home runs with ease.
Music was another important part of Bernard’s life. In his younger years, Bernard and some friends formed a band where he played keyboard. Music was always part of his world – whether he was driving with the radio on or enjoying a sunny afternoon on his back deck at home with Jazz (his favorite genre) blasting from the speakers.
Bernard worked alongside his mother at Pal’s Tavern until her retirement in 1997. After the tavern closed, Bernard worked other small jobs before securing a position as a custodian with King County in March 2000. Bernard remained there until his retirement in 2020, after 20 years of dedicated service.
In July 2022, just a few years into retirement, Bernard was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. He fought a brave fight, undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Ultimately, when his body could no longer continue treatment, Bernard passed peacefully at his daughter’s home, under hospice care, on April 6, 2025.
Bernard is survived by his children, Katrice Shaw-Charles and Bernard DeShawn Shaw (Kaitlyn); three beloved grandchildren: Celia Charles, Amari Shaw, and Brielle Shaw; Cousins, William Jerome Fields, Jr. and Henry Cave, Jr. (Brenda); and lifelong childhood friends, Robert Gant, Richard Gant, Sylvester Jones, Sr., and Charles Jones. Bernard will also be fondly remembered by many other extended family members and friends.
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