SCHUYLERVILE — Paul N. Shaver died on Friday, October 2, at Saratoga Hospital. He was born on March 2, 1940, to the late Harold N. and Pauline Orcutt Shaver in Oneida, NY.
Paul was predeceased by his sister Penny Lou Cromwell and his brother Thomas.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Fogarty Shaver, who he married on June 29, 1963, in Little Falls, NY; his children, Michael Shaver of Moreau, NY, Timothy (Joelle) of Milford MA., Karen (Michael) Galcik of Schuylerville; his grandchildren Taylor Shaver, Amanda Shaver, Matthew Shaver, Mackenzie Galcik and Zachary Galcik; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Paul was a graduate of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central Schools where he was active in the Boy Scouts, music and athletics. He then went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from Cortland State Teachers College. While attending college, Paul was a member of the college band, Gamma Tau Sigma fraternity and the Hellenic Council. He later attended the University of Michigan for graduate school. He remained a proud alumnus his entire life.
Paul dedicated his life to education. His career began at the Earlville Central School district as a Math teacher, followed by a three-year position teaching the same subject at Swartz Creek Community Schools in Michigan. Continuing his career, Paul was a guidance counselor at BOCES Shared Service and Schuylerville Central Schools. Paul went on to become the Director of Special Education at the F. Donald Myers BOCES Center in Saratoga Springs. The majority of Paul’s career was spent in the Albany City School District as the Director of Special Education from which he retired in June 1995. Following his retirement Paul served in several interim administrative positions and supervised student teachers for the College of St. Rose.
While at Schuylerville Central Schools, he served as varsity head football coach for 5 years. The team tied for one league championship and was the undefeated league champion one time. The undefeated league championship was the first in the history of the section and stood for many years.
Paul was an Eagle Scout and a Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow. He was an EMT and an EMT instructor as well as a member of the General Schuyler Emergency Squad for many years. As a member of GSES he served in many capacities including President and Captain. His EMT skills were often combined with scouting activities.
While his children were growing up, he was active in the Old Saratoga Athletic Association serving in any needed capacity. For 12 years, Paul was involved in the Greenwich Elks Christmas Basket Program where he was in charge of all aspects of giving 100 baskets of food to needy families of communities served by the Greenwich Elks Lodge. He also was a Lodge trustee for 14 years. He has been a member for 35 years and presently is a lifetime member of the Elks.
Paul served as a member of the Schuylerville Village Board, as Deputy Mayor and was a member of the Schuylerville/Victory Board of Water Management.
For 10 years, Paul served on the Saratoga Hospital Board of Trustees, the last two as Board Chair. This was during a period of rapid growth and change in the health care industry.
For 33 years he was a member of the Adirondack Chapter, NYS Certified Football Officials Association. He served in many capacities including several years as rules interpreter. Over the years he received many awards and accolades for his skill as an official. In 2010 he was selected to be part of the first induction class of the new Capital Region Football Hall of Fame. Upon retiring as a member he was made a lifetime member of the organization.
In 2006 the Fort Miller group established a scholarship program for the children of their employees. This was done in honor of the company’s founder, O.E.S. Hedbring. Paul was invited to be a member of the scholarship committee and continued to serve the committee. He considered this to be a very high honor and looked forward to the annual scholarship committee meeting.
Paul lived his life with an exuberance, bravado, a sense of fun and a spirit of generosity which his family has tried to emulate but could not fully imitate. The family will miss you, Dad.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Services and burial will be private and at the convenience of the family, conducted by the Rev. Richard Hoffman, Chaplain of Saratoga Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Tunison Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at tunisonfuneralhome.com.
