Arthur Shaver

Arthur C. Shaver, 80, of Downsville, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at his family's winter home in Mocksville, NC.

Art was born on July 21, 1935 the son of the late Earl and Maude (Shultis) Shaver in Shavertown where he lived his childhood up until the building of the Pepacton Reservoir and his family along with many others were forced to move.

Art attended Andes Central School until 1954 when he enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served our country as a member of the 11th Airborne Division of the Army. Art left high school to volunteer in the Army and did not receive his high school diploma until June 2006 as part of a program that honored Veterans who left high school prior to receiving their diplomas to join the armed services.

After his return from the Army, he met and married the love of his life, Bonnie (Fitch). A marriage that lasted 59 years with 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Art's career in construction begin in 1957 working on the Downsville Dam and ended some 50 years later. During his career he became a Rock Drilling and Blasting Expert that was known throughout the world. One of the highlights of his career was in 1990 when he was in Izmir, Turkey working and the President of Turkey accompanied him in order to "push the button" on the dynamite shot they were preparing that day.

Art had a storied career that lead him from his roots in Delaware County all around the world. Early in his career he worked on many union projects throughout New York State and Connecticut that took him away from home. In 1970 he and his wife, Bonnie, made the decision to move their family away from their home in Downsville so that they could be a full time family. The first move took them to Charlemont, Massachusetts where he worked for JA Jones Construction on the Bear Swamp Hydro-Electric Project. From there the family moved to Florida, Virginia, and two different places in Pennsylvania and then back to Virginia before heading overseas. While in Pennsylvania he worked for Lane Construction Company in Lawrenceville and then moved on to Mechanicsburg where he worked for Kimbob Construction, Inc. In 1977 he returned to Virginia where he worked for Daniel's Construction Company on the Bath County "Back Creek" Hydro-Electric Project. In 1983 his work took him to Sri Lanka and then in 1988 to Izmir, Turkey. Through his many years of construction, he was able to share his great knowledge of drilling and blasting with many people including his four (4) sons and two (2) grandsons who proudly followed in his footsteps.

Art enjoyed watching all sports especially the New York Yankees and New York Giants, but none more than the teams his children played on. There was never any ballgame or activity that his children participated in that he and Bonnie were not in the bleachers for. He was a little league coach for the boys when they were young where he was instrumental in building solid programs both in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. During his retirement years they spent their time traveling up and down the east coast where they enjoyed watching their grandchildren play soccer, football, basketball, baseball and competitive cheerleading where he was "Pop" not only to his own grandchildren but many of the children who played on their teams.

Art was a proud member of the Mountain Lodge Masonic Temple in Shelburne Falls Massachusetts, the Melha Temple of the Shriner's in Springfield, Massachusetts, the James S. Moore American Legion Post in Downsville, NY and the Downsville Fire Department.

While during Art's life he had many accomplishments the one that he was most proud of was his family who survive him - his wife, Bonnie, a son Artie and wife Lori of Winston-Salem, NC, a son Steve and wife Laura of Hot Springs, VA, a daughter Nancy (Haynes) and husband Gary of Downsville, NY, a son Tom and wife Susi of Hot Springs, VA and a son Bob and wife Michele of Advance, NC. Special nephew, Lester Silva of Columbo, Sri Lanka. His grandchildren Stacie, Danny and Dusty Haynes, Artie (II), Amanda, Katie, Alana, Alex, Tyler, Trey, Erika, Tommy, Brittany, Abby and Maddi Shaver. His great grandchildren Artie (IV), Monica, Nora, Ellie, Brock, Tyler, Hunter, Ryder, Meadow and Levi and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Ralph, Charlie and David Shaver, his sisters Bessie Davis, Ella Murphy and Marie Davis, his special nephews Walter and Sterling (Butch) Murphy.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 13, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM and Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 10-11:00 AM at the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM in the funeral home. The Rev. R.L. Donahue will officiate. Burial will be in the Shavertown Cemetery.

Burial will be in the Shavertown Cemetery.

Donations in his memory and in honor of his love of dogs to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter in Cooperstown, NY (4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326) or the Downsville EMS, Downsville, NY 13755).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY. www.Harris-FH.com 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200