WINDHAM — Carl F. Shaw, husband of Jane E. Bragdon Shaw, and father of nine passed away peacefully on Aug. 27, 2010. 

Carl was a lifelong resident of Portland, born on Nov. 13, 1923 to Bertha Lord Shaw and Arthur J. Shaw.

He attended Portland schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1941. In January 1943, he joined the Army and served during the European Invasion during World War II, landing on Omaha Beach. He served in the Medical Corps and received several medals including the Bronze Star. Carl’s older brother Arthur was killed in Hawaii shortly after the Japanese invasion.

Upon returning to the States, Carl enrolled in Shaw’s Business College where he jokingly recalls majoring in golf. In 1947, he married Jane Bragdon from Westbrook. They settled in the North Deering area of Portland where they lived and raised their family for 35 years.

Carl was especially fond of the many summers spent at the family camp, Reven Enola (Never Alone), on Sebago Lake. Family and friends would gather to sing, dance and enjoy each other’s company on most weekends. He loved playing cards and enjoyed battling his sons in games of basketball well into his 70s.

Carl worked hard to provide for his family and eventually opened Shaw and Higgins Body Shop with his partner, Clyde Higgins. After retiring from this business, he opened Shaw’s Appraisers. This new venture allowed him to work not only with is wife, Jane, but also his four sons, Carl, Tom, John and Joe.

He was a dedicated member of the Portland Boys Club Alumni Association and was a past president of the organization where a scholarship fund has been established in his name.

A proud man, he taught his children to be self-sufficient and to strive to be the best they could be. He valued intelligence and hard work and was very proud of his adult children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and what each has accomplished.

He was always known to have a “project” and his children lovingly called him “MacGyver” because he could fix anything with whatever he had on hand.

Carl loved family parties and planned yearly Christmas parties and summer family gatherings. He was especially excited during the last part of his life in presenting trophies during the summer get together to everyone who competed in one of his sporting events.

Carl will be sadly missed by his wife of 63 years, Jane; his children, Carol Shaw-Bourgeois, Deborah Shaw, Carl A. Shaw, Elizabeth Shaw, Linda Herron, Thomas Shaw, John Shaw, Susan Hight and Joe Shaw; 21 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Robert Shaw; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by sisters, Rita Walsh, Florence Foley and his brother, Arthur Shaw Jr.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stevens Avenue, Portland on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Boys and Girls Club of Portland, P.O. Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112.

For online condolences, please visit www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com