Obituary of Joseph V. Shay

Joseph Vincent Shay, of Milford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on March 26, 2026, the day after his 96th birthday. He was the beloved husband of 62 years of the late Mildred J. Shay. He was born in White Plains, NY on March 25, 1930, the only son of Hilda Palaia and Joseph Shay. He grew up in the Hollow neighborhood of Bridgeport where he attended St. Augustine elementary school and graduated from Central High School in 1947. He joined the Marine Corps in 1950 and proudly served his country as a Staff Sargeant during the Korean Conflict. Joe, affectionately known as "Dude", married Millie in 1955 and they settled in Fairfield, where they would live for 45 years, and raised their family. He worked at Bryant Electric and in 1962, began his 30 year career with Harvey Hubbell in both Bridgeport and Orange, retiring in 1992 at the age of 62 as the Director of Data Processing. In his retirement, he began gardening and created beautiful rose gardens, continued his passion for reading, and walked every day. Joe was a devoted Yankees and Jets fan, a supporter of college basketball who had season tickets for 30 years to the Fairfield University Stags Men's basketball games. He was a friend of Bill's for more than three decades. He created a lifetime of memories vacationing with his family in Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island every summer, and the tradition continues. Joe will be missed and remembered by his beloved children, Coleen (Art) Clark of Milford, Karen (George) Swift of Randolph, NJ, Lisa (George) Poland of Orange and Christopher (Annie) Shay of Trumbull; his thirteen grandchildren, Michael (Michelle) Clark, Karen (Eric) Anton, Ryan (Melissa) Clark, Sean (Randi) Swift, Patrick and Andrew Swift, Katharine, Elizabeth and John Poland, Connor, Grace and Nolan Shay and Emily Kiely; and his six great-grandchildren, Layne (Bunny) Clark, Dylan Clark, Wesley Clark, Hazel and Shay Swift and Emmett Clark; nieces and nephews, including his special niece, Patricia Konecny; and his companion, Geraldine Westover. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 11 am in Lawncroft Cemetery, 1740 Black Rock Tnpk., Fairfield with Military Honors. Friends may greet the family on Friday, April 3, 2026 from 4-7 pm with Words of Remembrance being shared at 6:30 pm in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. To leave an online condolence, visit www.abriola.com