Harold I. Shutts

COLONIE, NY – Harold I. Shutts, age 89, a longtime resident of Dahlem Boulevard in Colonie, died on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 following an extended illness at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. He was born in Amsterdam, NY on Sept. 5, 1921 and was the son of the late Washburn and Latitia (Faulknor) Shutts. Upon their deaths, he was raised by Chester and Clara Faulknor Johnson, an aunt and uncle. Harold graduated from the former Wilbur Lynn High School in Amsterdam at the age of 16. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served on the U.S.S. LST #336. He participated in several of the European invasions including Normandy, and spent six months in the Philippine Islands. His ship was awarded the Navy Commendation medal. He was discharged as a First Class Petty Officer with four campaign stars. Through the years he was employed by the former carpet mills in Amsterdam, including Bigelow-Sanford Mill and Mohawk Carpet Mills. He has worked at the U.S. Naval Depot in Scotia, NY. Harold retired in 1986 from the N.Y.S. Office of General Services as a construction estimator after 27 years of service. Harold was an avid bowler and golfer and enjoyed both sports into his 80's. He enjoyed his family, reading and most sports. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Julia Mary (Keiley) Shutts and two sons and daughters-in-law: Lawrence and Marie Shutts of Bennington, VT and James and Pamela Shutts of Antioch, CA. He leaves five grandchildren: Patrice (Nick) Pello, Kristen, Katie, Zachary and Jillian Shutts, one great-granddaughter, Amelia Pello as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Shutts was predeceased by one son, Thomas Francis Shutts and one sister, Jane Champ. Mr. Shutts was a communicant of St. Clare's Church in Colonie, a member of the Colonie Elks Lodge, Herbert H. Kuhn Senior Citizen Center and a trustee of the Auriesville Cemetery. The family would like to extend their endless appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at C1-wing at Ellis Hospital and an added thanks to the student nurses from Hudson Valley Community College for their assistance and youthful and cheerful bedside manner.
The family will receive relatives and friends at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.) on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday at 8:15 a.m. at the funeral home then to St. Clare's Church, Colonie at 9:00 a.m. where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Amsterdam. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205 in memory of Harold I. Shutts.