He leaves behind his wife of 33 years, MaryEllen, children, Katharine McShane (Jesse Heasly), Megan McShane and William Thomas McShane. He is survived by his father William A. McShane. His surviving siblings include Michael McShane, Rosemary McShane, and Elizabeth Fonseca.
His children observed, “Our Dad was aware of what mattered to him, and that awareness inspired joy in the people around him. He believed and often stated that ‘music is the center of the universe’ and we believe that passion for something bigger than himself guided who he was. He cared about everyone, often more than himself, and was not afraid to share it. He brought people together inside his excitement for life and it was infectious. Every time he put on his rollerskates and danced through the neighborhood he reminded us to enjoy each other and to be ourselves. He also found peace on the bay, a place that was very special to him.”
“Anyone who knew Bill McShane knew he loved building things from the ground up. This was his style of creativity and it found it’s way into everything he did – from life at the airport to raising his family.
“He loved to see other people happy and would want to see us together, celebrating everything we share. We hope all who knew him can take forward into their lives the lessons he taught us – to cherish and build your life around what’s uniquely valuable to you with the people you love.”
Bill McShane was a respected statewide aviation leader, who was instrumental in helping bring the Bethpage Air Show to Jones Beach over 15 years ago.
Prior to his passing, Bill was Vice President of Business Development & Special Projects for Sheltair Aviation which provides general aviation services at the region’s major airports. His tenure was the capstone to a lifelong career in aviation that included serving as past president of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA), where he remained a board member. For the last dozen years he applied his insight and expertise to positioning Sheltair as one of the most respected fixed base operators (FBOs) in the New York metro area and oversaw the approval and construction of their new multimillion dollar hangar complex at Republic Airport.
Bill was one of the founding members of Long Island Business Aviation Association as well as a past President and Board Member. He was the founder and President of the Aerospace Education Corporation, a Not-For-Profit organization that was created to promote aviation education. This organization hosted Aviation Career Fairs and offered ways to introduce students to the Aviation Industry. In 2014, he was awarded the NBAA Silk Scarf Award which is given to individuals for their special contributions to the business aviation community
That decades-long effort demonstrated Bill’s ability to engage the surrounding community regarding Sheltair’s development plans, using candor, humor, and mutual respect to work with concerned area residents.
Burial arrangements are being arranged Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home. Due to the pandemic there will only be a private viewing for immediate family with a private burial Wednesday May 20th at St. Charles Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bill McShane Memorial Aviation Scholarship. Checks can be made payable to “NYAMA” and sent to: 230 Washington Avenue Extension Suite 101 Albany, NY 12203.
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