Gerald Andrew Shay, of Reading, (formerly of Melrose) and Falmouth passed away Oct. 22, 2005 at his home after a lengthly illness at the age of 70. Born & raised in Massachusetts, he graduated from St. Johns Prep in Danvers in 1953, the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1957 and Suffolk Law School in 1965. Mr. Shay was an attorney for the federal government, Veterans Administration, in Bedford, MA until his retirement in July of 2005. He was a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bars and active in numerous civic, social and professional organizations. He proudly served his country as a Marine officer until his retirement in 1984, retiring as a Lt. Colonel. He is survived by his wife Donna L. (Evans) Shay of Reading & Falmouth and three daughters, Lorie A. Shay of CA, Deborah L. Watelet & her husband Lee of Groton and Pamela L. Alexander & her husband Kyle of OR. Jerry has been blessed with four grandchildren, Collin Ho of CA, Meghan & Cameron Watelet of Groton and Shay Alexander of OR. Caring brother in law of Carole & Lloyd Echols and uncle of Adam Echols, all of CA. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, Oct. 27th at 9AM. Funeral Mass in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 10AM. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours on Wednesday from 4-8PM. Burial in VA National Cemetery, Bourne on Friday Oct. 28th at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jerrys memory to the Melrose Public Library 69 W. Emerson St., Melrose, MA 02176, the Melrose Humane Society P.O. Box 760668, Melrose, MA 02176 or a charity of your choice.