Rest in Peace, Dad.
ILYSM
Excerpts from Shayne’s Eulogy…
As the decade drew to a close, Shayne’s health began to falter, first noticeably during the pandemic, then taking a pronounced downturn by April 2021.
Shayne and Corrine faced these health challenges together with bravery and determination, striving for a return to normalcy even as it became increasingly difficult.
Over the last year of his life, Shayne oscillated in and out of hospitals and care facilities, always under the compassionate care of dedicated caregivers.
His spirit remained resilient; his goal was to walk and be social again, striving for improvement until nearly the very end.
Shayne passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19th, 2024. Though his physical journey has ended, his enduring legacy of love, perseverance, and humor will continue to guide and inspire us all.
I’ll always remember…
The story about Shayne and pregnant mom on the way to an event as they got pulled over by a cop for speeding – to get out of a ticket, Shayne said mom was going into labor – She wasn’t – yet they received a police escort to the ER.
When Shayne cursed in front of me for the first time – in the middle of the Pacific on a fishing trip after he pulled the hook on a mahi mahi.
Shayne teaching me how to sell at the Pageant of the Masters - Coffee table material anyone?
When he came to Brooklyn to hang and watch a fight with the guys, and he went HAM on the tray of brownies a friend brought over.
Those weren’t normal brownies, dad.
When we found out we were both coincidentally in Austin on business and made last minute plans to meet for dinner.
That time Shayne and I went to visit Max at BC and we all hung out on Ed’s roof together before the football game
That time Shayne Maggie and I appointed ourselves to “oyster duties” and went on an adventure to Tomales Bay – I’ll also always remember Shayne’s choice to join us for a Bodega Bay horseback ride on that trip
That cold and rainy Mardis Gras when we all visited Max and got to celebrate together – he really hated the cold!
The Clippers season ticket holder events, the trip to Mexico City with the team, and that time Shayne snuck us into Kenny the Jet’s NBA all-star party
Who would have thought that an innocent gesture to help set up his Instagram would forever cement his nickname as Big Shayne – thanks, Max.
The other day I had a solo meal at the Grand Central Oyster Bar and remembered all the times we’ve met there for a meal over the years
Stone crabs at Joes,
Gumbo,
Jordan,
And Johnny Blue with the Mortenson’s on Christmas eve.
Waffles on Christmas morning,
Scrabble, tic tac toe, and dominoes…
Game over, dawg.
We miss you, dad.
Shayne was a man who loved to coach – he loved telling us what to do!
Max has told me that some of his friends reflect kindly on Shayne as a coach – as the only time they were on a winning sports team.
Others likely remember the tight athletic shorts, expectations of greatness, and little tolerance for “clowning” around.
I remember Shayne as a person who was mischievous, fun, and had a knack for saying what everyone else was thinking but wouldn’t or shouldn’t say.
If we needed an inappropriate, but perfectly timed joke, we could always count on Big Shayne. There was a 100% chance of being offended or laughing hysterically.
The happiest I ever saw him was on my wedding day. I wish he could have lived to see Max and Kendra get married, to see our home in New York, and to experience many of the milestones that we must now experience without him.
On one of my final visits in late August, before catching a flight back home, I gave him a hug and a kiss, and told him that “I love you so much, Dad.”
