Harold Shaw, 84, of Whidbey Island died Feb. 6, 2009 surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born July 14, 1924, in Everett, the son of Walter and Beulah Shaw. He attended Washington State College and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and a life member of the Everett Elks Lodge No. 479

He served in the military from 1942 to 1954 in England, Normandy, Ardennes, Belgium and Germany with the First Army. He retired from the Everett Parks and Recreation Department as superintendent in 1992.

After his retirement, he moved to Whidbey Island in 1993 where he found his little piece of paradise. In Freeland he did volunteer work for the Freeland Senior Thrift Store for many years.

He is survived by his daughter Louise Thomas of Silvana; son Steve Shaw of Arlington; nephew Jim Startup of Lake Stevens; niece Nancy Lombard of Hawaii; and sister Betty Startup of Everett; his close friends of Whidbey Island, Tandi Roberts, Ken Albreic, Lou Cohen and his faithful canine companion Georgie Boy.

He found his happiness fly fishing in Canada with his friends, walking the beach with his faithful friend Georgie Boy, or just sitting quietly watching the ships pass across Puget Sound. You could often find him walking the neighborhood with his hammer, anxiously waiting for a neighbor to ask him to build or fix something. He found much enjoyment putting his great carpentry abilities to use.

You will be sadly missed, dad and friend, by all who have had the wonderful opportunity to have known you. We love you.

There will be a memorial from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at his home on Whidbey Island.