Robert John Shay Sr.

USMC veteran, retired FDNY lieutenant, father of eight

Robert J. Shay, Sr., loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on Feb, 3, 2020, at home, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.

Born in the Bronx on July 22, 1936 to Robert and Gertrude Shay, Robert attended PS 54 and Samuel Gompers Industrial HS in the Bronx before moving to Staten Island at the age of 15. Here he continued his education at McKee Vocational and Technical HS. After completion of high school, Robert joined The United States Marine Corps, serving from 1957-1959 and was honorably discharged as corporal (CPL).

Following his separation from the Marine Corps, Robert worked for the N.Y. Telephone Co., and Con Edison prior to his appointment with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in 1966. During his career, Robert was stationed with Engine Companies 268 (Rockaway), 158 (Staten Island), 92 (Bronx), 28 (Manhattan) before retiring out of the "Hot Corner" Engine 155 Staten Island. On June 6, 1974, Robert survived a roof collapse and was buried under six stories of rubble. Robert retired from the FDNY as a lieutenant in 1986, the same year his beloved NY Mets won their second World Series.

Robert met his future wife, Maureen Hannigan, in 1959 at Deninos Pizzeria. They married on Feb. 8, 1964 at Sacred Heart Church and went on to have eight children.

Robert enjoyed gardening, painting, collecting coins, making stained glass, watching sports, especially the Mets, but his biggest passion was playing golf (which he played up until a few months before his passing).

Robert was predeceased by his father, Robert, and mother, Gertrude, and son, Robert J. Shay, Jr., who was killed on September 11, 2001.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Maureen Hannigan; his sons, James Shay and Michael Shay; his daughters, Maureen Pomante (Rob), Eileen Martinez (Alex), Kathleen Passantino (Alfred), Leanne Collins (Jimmy), Carolyn Shay, and his daughter-in-law, Dawn Shay. He is also survived by his brother, John Marretta, and sister Rosemarie Karpelas.

He also leaves 10 grandchildren: Willard and Briana Surko, Ashley Shay-Viscuso (Anthony), Robert, Ryan and Jonathan Shay, Matthew and Jason Passantino, Brendan Collins and Kyle Martinez, and two great-grandchildren, Zayden and Lukas.

Visitation is at Casey's Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Avenue, on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Friday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass will be Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, 981 Castleton Avenue, S.I., at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Moravian Cemetery, 2205 Richmond Road.

Casey Funeral Home

350 Slosson Ave.