JOHN HAROLD SHAW John Harold Shaw, 85, of Honolulu, passed away at Queens Hospital the morning of March 6, 2015 with Juanita (Bettencourt) his loving wife of 63 years, at his side. John was preceded in death by his brother Warren and sister Jeanne (Pester). He is survived by his daughter Ardis, and sons, Brian and Dwight and two grandchildren. John's predecessors emigrated from Europe to the Islands in the late 1800's. The Shaw family has a long association with maritime endeavors, with John's grandfather arriving in the kingdom aboard a whaler and staying to eventually start a family. Born in Honolulu, in 1929, the middle child of the late Oliver James ("Jimmy") Shaw and Marguerite Freitas, John grew up in Kaimuki, with cohorts who came to be known as the 7thth Avenue Gang. After graduating from Saint Louis School in 1948, John refused a congressional college scholarship to join the U.S. Army along with his buddies. Stationed overseas in Japan and Korea, John was wounded in the Korean Conflict; earning a Purple Heart. After recovering at Tripler Army Hospital, he returned to duty at Army installations, Schofield Barracks and Fort Derussey. During that time he reacquainted with, courted and married Honolulu's most beautiful Juanita Bettencourt. They were married on October 25, 1952 at Saint Patrick Church in Kaimuki. John received an honorable discharge in 1954 and followed in the footsteps of his forbearers, heading to the waterfront. He started work as a shipping clerk for Castle and Cooke and later became a longshoreman during a period when break bulk cargo was still hoisted to and from piers on wooden pallets with cargo nets. In 1964 John joined the competition, McCabe, Hamilton, and Renny, where he was elevated to management and eventually promoted to Vice President of Operations. John's career advanced during a time of innovations that revolutionized the industry, altered world economies and heralded globalization. After about forty years on the waterfront, John retired in 1994 to join Nita at their long-time homestead in Aina Haina. His strong work ethic, faith in the power of the human spirit and forthright manner remain legend on the waterfront. Although the family lived at various addresses in East Honolulu early on, in 1969 the Shaw's settled in their beloved lower Aina Haina. Here, John and "Nita" were known for having the most immaculate yard in all of East Oahu. Upon moving to Oio Drive, John removed one tree after another, relenting only to allow several Puakenikeni trees to flourish so Nita and the neighbors could enjoy the fragrant blossoms. John owned half a dozen weeders, for no real purpose, because weeds dare not show up in his yard. John and Nita greeted their seasonal Plover that faithfully returned each year, to delight Nita and follow John and his weeder, hoping to catch an agitated grub. They welcomed any and all in for a cold glass of sun tea and hosted many joyful gatherings with family and friends. John and Nita joined Brian and Dwight in Kamuela last year to enjoy the bucolic environment there. Friends and family are invited to Diamond Head Mortuary for a gathering at 9:30 and remembrance at 11:00 on April 11.
JOHN HAROLD SHAW John Harold Shaw, 85, of Honolulu, passed away at Queens Hospital the morning of March 6, 2015 with Juanita (Bettencourt) his loving wife of 63 years, at his side. John was preceded in death by his brother Warren and sister Jeanne (Pester). He is survived by his daughter Ardis, and sons, Brian and Dwight and two grandchildren. John's predecessors emigrated from Europe to the Islands in the late 1800's. The Shaw family has a long association with maritime endeavors, with John's grandfather arriving in the kingdom aboard a whaler and staying to eventually start a family. Born in Honolulu, in 1929, the middle child of the late Oliver James ("Jimmy") Shaw and Marguerite Freitas, John grew up in Kaimuki, with cohorts who came to be known as the 7thth Avenue Gang. After graduating from Saint Louis School in 1948, John refused a congressional college scholarship to join the U.S. Army along with his buddies. Stationed overseas in Japan and Korea, John was wounded in the Korean Conflict; earning a Purple Heart. After recovering at Tripler Army Hospital, he returned to duty at Army installations, Schofield Barracks and Fort Derussey. During that time he reacquainted with, courted and married Honolulu's most beautiful Juanita Bettencourt. They were married on October 25, 1952 at Saint Patrick Church in Kaimuki. John received an honorable discharge in 1954 and followed in the footsteps of his forbearers, heading to the waterfront. He started work as a shipping clerk for Castle and Cooke and later became a longshoreman during a period when break bulk cargo was still hoisted to and from piers on wooden pallets with cargo nets. In 1964 John joined the competition, McCabe, Hamilton, and Renny, where he was elevated to management and eventually promoted to Vice President of Operations. John's career advanced during a time of innovations that revolutionized the industry, altered world economies and heralded globalization. After about forty years on the waterfront, John retired in 1994 to join Nita at their long-time homestead in Aina Haina. His strong work ethic, faith in the power of the human spirit and forthright manner remain legend on the waterfront. Although the family lived at various addresses in East Honolulu early on, in 1969 the Shaw's settled in their beloved lower Aina Haina. Here, John and "Nita" were known for having the most immaculate yard in all of East Oahu. Upon moving to Oio Drive, John removed one tree after another, relenting only to allow several Puakenikeni trees to flourish so Nita and the neighbors could enjoy the fragrant blossoms. John owned half a dozen weeders, for no real purpose, because weeds dare not show up in his yard. John and Nita greeted their seasonal Plover that faithfully returned each year, to delight Nita and follow John and his weeder, hoping to catch an agitated grub. They welcomed any and all in for a cold glass of sun tea and hosted many joyful gatherings with family and friends. John and Nita joined Brian and Dwight in Kamuela last year to enjoy the bucolic environment there. Friends and family are invited to Diamond Head Mortuary for a gathering at 9:30 and remembrance at 11:00 on April 11.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
