Richard E. Shirley

Richard Eugene Shirley, 89, of Monroe, NY passed away peacefully on April 25, 2023. His family is grateful that he is at peace, and his mind is restored.

Richard was born on January 12th, 1934 in Floral Park, NY. A few years after graduating from Robert L. Simpson High School in Huntington, he put his brilliant mind to work in service of our country, spending several years with the Army Signal Corps. He then headed to Alaska to help build the Distant Early Warning ("DEW") Line radar detection system in the Arctic Circle. He went on to build an accomplished career as a telecom engineer, providing many of the building blocks for our current "age of communication." Richard reconnected with his high school love and prom date, Joan, and they married in 1964. The couple relocated to the home they built in Monroe in 1972.

Richard was a dedicated provider for his family. He understood his mission as a husband and a father, and he followed through. His personable nature and quick wit drew others to him; he was a wealth of knowledge and stories, including his travels to Europe and Alaska. He was always up for a healthy debate, and could not lose with his catch phrase, "Well yes, and no." Richard most enjoyed time spent with his family, swimming, sledding, cooking, and watching his childrens ball games and recitals. He could fix almost anything, but he never could keep his reading glasses in one piece.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Joan, and his three children, Palmer Watson, Richard Shirley (Naomi Ono), and Maryann McInerney (Michael). He leaves behind six beautiful grandchildren, Aubrey Stogner (Andy), Ian Watson, Rebekah Habriel (Nathaniel), Russell Shirley, Daniel Shirley, and Benjamin Richard McInerney, as well as three great-grandchildren. Richard is also survived by his sister Carole LeMieux. Richard was predeceased by his brothers Gerald, and Robert, and his son-in-law, David Watson.

A private family service will be held on Long Island at a date yet to be determined.

Cremation care will be provided by Thomas & Brendan Flynn at Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., Chester, NY.
Funeral care provided by the Flynn Family and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers.
To honor Richards life, a donation can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.