Obituary of Murray Dale Shackelford, Sr.

Murray Dale Shackelford, Sr.

1937-2025

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that the family of Murray Dale Shackelford SR announces his passing on Thursday, February 13, 2025, after a brief illness. He passed in the comfort of his home with his loving family by his side.

Murray was born in Bellaire OH on September 2, 1937, the only child of Dale E. and Freida Kocher Shackelford. In his youth he spent free time at the Rose Hill School playground playing basketball with his friends. He was a star player on his high school team. He graduated from Bellaire High School in May 1955.

On July 5, 1955, he and seven of his friends enlisted in the US Air Force taking basic training at Sampson AFB on Seneca Lake. He served eight years in the Air Force and was stationed at Amarillo TX, Japan, Griffiss AFB, Oscoda MI, Grand Forks ND. He and his seven friends remained friends throughout their lives. While stationed at Griffiss he met the love of his life Rosemary Masi. They were married on October 24, 1959, at St. John the Baptist Church; they recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.

Murray coached and was a referee for Fran Allison basketball while his sons were growing up and he also played basketball in a weekly men's night pickup league. He supported and attended his son’s and grandchildren’s sports games. He and Rosemary were always in the stands cheering them on.

In 2017 Murray and Rosemary had the opportunity to take a trip to Italy along with their son Murray JR, his children and their daughter Anita, son-in-law Mike and their children. They visited Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento and had a great reunion with their relatives in Basilicata Italy. It was a wonderful trip, talked about still at every family gathering.

Murray and Rosemary continued the tradition of preparing the Italian fish dinner on Christmas Eve.  Holiday dinners and special occasions were always joyous events.

He was a member of the Sampson AFB Veterans Fellowship and he and Rosemary enjoyed many trips to various states in the northeast with his fellow Airman.

After serving in the Air Force Murray and Rosemary came back to Rome to raise their children. His first civilian job was at General Cable Corp and 15 months after he was promoted to foreman.  He worked there for seven years until they closed. Over the next several years, he worked as a foreman at Pettibone, Spargo Wire, Revere and then retired from Rome Cable after 22 years of service. He loved his home and his garden, sharing the bounty with family and neighbors. He was proud of his children receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

He is survived by his loving wife Rosemary, their daughter Anita and her husband Michael and their children Madeline (George), and Luke (fiancée Colleen); his son Michael and his wife Joyce, their daughter Elizabeth (Christopher), their children Hudson, Brooks and Olivia; son Andrew (fiancée Macy); Murray Jr.  (Jamie) and Murray’s children Jacob (Emina) and Martina and Samantha and sister-in-law Donna Masi.

Murray was looking forward to his grandson Andrew's upcoming wedding and spending quality time with his three great grandchildren in Arizona.

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. Brian Alessi and RN Kim, and the Hospice team for the care and compassion shown to Murray. Also, a thank you to our family nurses, Anita and Jamie, as I don't know what we would have done without their guidance and love.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Nichlolas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., Rome, NY.  Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 3-5 p.m.  Spring burial will be in Rome Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Murray’s name to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413-9954 or online at: hospicecareinc.org

To offer online condolences please visit, www.njbushfuneralhome.com