Thomas G. Shaw Jr.

Thomas G. Shaw of Kent passed away on October 13, 2026 following a long illness. Born in Warren, Ohio in 1950, the son of Thomas Shaw and the former Mary Katherine Lisby, he led a long and interesting life. He was the oldest of five and definitely enjoyed that situation. As a child, Tom was interested in a wide variety of activities including astronomy, chemistry, rocketry and pyrotechnics, to the delight of some of his siblings but not necessarily his parents. His curiosity about the world followed him into adulthood but he mostly stopped blowing things up

As a young adult, Tom worked in social work and traveled internationally when he could, before becoming a partner in Ray’s Place on Franklin Street in Kent. He and his partners operated and improved the establishment for many years before selling it. He returned to college for a degree in mathematics and began a career in information technology that, after many years in the corporate world, ended at St. Patrick’s in Kent, where he loved interacting with the children in the school.

Tom and his beloved wife of 50 years, the former Jay McDonald, had a son, Thomas Joseph, known as Joe, who gave them three wonderful grandchildren. Always willing to engage in fun activities, Tom spent as much time as he could entertaining Elliot, Vivien and Lewis. He was the person who would keep them all busy so that everyone else could get something done. He and Jay spent as much time as possible near them. Shortly before he passed, he spent a week with them attending a high school football game, a high school play, a string orchestra concert, and celebrating his fiftieth anniversary at several restaurants.

In addition to his many other pursuits, Tom deeply loved gardening and all other outside activities. His garden supplied his family with fresh vegetables every season and his tomatoes were spectacular. Everything interested him and he could always be counted on to identify a flower or bird call. He was very active at St. Patrick Church and in his retirement he and Jay sang in the church choir. Tom never lost his taste for social justice, which led him to volunteer for a few weeks in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and to work at the polls for every election. The recent total eclipse was a particularly fascinating event for him, and he spent months preparing to record it.

Tom leaves behind his wife Jay, son Joe Shaw, his wife Brette Luck, and their children Elliot, Vivien and Lewis Luckshaw. Also, he leaves siblings Margaret Mary Bednar (Richard), Richard (Linda), and Katherine Daniels, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother Michael Shaw.

We all deeply miss you Tom, and will see you on the other side.

In honoring his wishes, Tom will be cremated and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 26, 2026 at 11:00AM at St. Katharine Drexel Parish at St. Patrick Church, 313 N. Depeyster St. Kent, OH 44240 with the Rev. Fr. John Rovnak as Celebrant. Calling hours will be Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 3:00-5:00PM at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in his name, to Haven of Rest Ministries, PO Box 547 Akron, OH 44309-0547.

Services in the care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.