Our beloved father, Edward J. Shaughnessy, Sr. 90, born on July 15, 1933 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Leona (Jurys) and John F. Shaughnessy, Sr. passed away on February 13, 2024 at Castle Point VA Medical Center, Wappingers Falls, NY.

He attended St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1950. He served in the US Air Force from 1951-1955 and the Air Force Reserves until 1959. He attended the University of Southern California College School of Aeronautical and Technical Engineering. He served in Korea during the Korean War in the DMZ with the 18th Fighter Wing Squadron aka the Guardians of the Pacific Foxy Few. His specialty was P-51 Mustangs.

His service in the Air Force, along with his Roman Catholic faith was important to his life. He was an 18th Fighter Wing Association "lifetime" member where he and our mother participated in reunions with his lifelong service buddies throughout the US. He was the last surviving member of his band of brothers. He received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, The Republic of Korea War Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was responsible for pulling baseball legend Ted Williams from his burning plane at K-13 Suwon Air Base after it was shot at during a reconnaissance mission in Korea.

After Korea, he was an Electrical Engineer at IBM until 1961 when he opened E.J. Shaughnessy Tile Contracting, Inc. He was a resilient floor specialist and a master at his craft. He installed floors throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond at IBM, Vassar College, Marist College, elementary schools, churches, stores, hospitals, armories, other colleges, and many homes to name a few. He hired, mentored, and inspired many young men in his trade throughout his years as a floor contractor.

He was a member of St Columba/St Denis Parish where he worked with Fr. Meehan installing the original floor in the church, the Men's Club of Nativity School, the Italian Center, and the VFW. Ed was a bugle player in Chandler's Drum Corp and enjoyed attending drum corps competitions. He sponsored many youth sports teams throughout the area. He had his private plane pilot's license and loved flying. He often started a conversation with "have you heard the one about…?" Or "Let me tell you a story…" and could he tell a good story. We will miss his humor, jokes, and keen wit, his ability to fix anything with his vast knowledge and experience, and most of all his generosity and love for his family and friends and his ability to show up when we needed him most.

On January 30, 1955 he married the love of his life, our mother, Dolores R. (Versace) who survives along with their five children and their families; Edward J. Shaughnessy, Jr (Janet), Nancy Borell (William), Suzanne Windheim (Peter), Colleen Shaughnessy-Palmiter (Brad), Cheryl Ann Shaughnessy. Grandchildren: Nicholas Luongo, Jennifer Curran, Matthew Luongo, Peter Windheim, Aaron Palmiter, Jordan Palmiter, Joshua Luongo, Tyler Windheim. Great grandchildren Glenn, Nicholas, Kole, John, Skyler, Levi, Kyla, Violet and Mia. He is also survived by his brother Michael (Joan) Shaughnessy, Sr., in-laws: Theresa (Tessie) Milano, Catherine (Katie) Bracone, John (Sonny) Versace, Anthony Versace, John and Mary Canevari, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother John (Jack)Shaughnessy and sister Maureen Canevari.

Our family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the VA at Castle Point for the exceptional care, kindness and compassion they gave our father and family in his last days.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:30am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. Interment with military honors will follow at St. Denis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry at St Denis/St. Columba/St. Kateri Tekakwitha, PO Box 428, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533.