David Shawn

It is with deep, and heavy sadness that we announce the death of David Shawn, who passed away peacefully in the early morning of October 9, 2014, at the age of 97. David spent his last few weeks at Geer Rehabilitation and Nursing in Canaan, CT, and had previously been living with his family in Hillsdale, NY.

He is survived by his two daughters, Lisa Shawn of Lake Worth, FL and Amy Shawn Doty of Hillsdale, NY, as well as son-in-law Douglas Doty. He also leaves behind his loving granddaughters, Sierra Vraback of New York, NY, and Jenna Doty, of Baltimore, MD, who were the light of his life. Also surviving are several nephews and nieces to whom he was very devoted.

David was born in Toronto, Canada on March 9, 1917 and moved to New York City, with his family, as a young teen. He attended Stuyvesant High School in New York, and served as a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during WWII, stationed in the Pacific. He married his true love, Pearl, in 1950, who predeceased him; they were married for 50 years. They traveled extensively, experiencing the cultures of Europe, Russia, South America, Mexico and China, as well as Canada and most all regions of the United States.

He loved to play tennis, plant his organic garden, and feed the wild birds. He loved books and was an avid reader. David's quiet way and gentle humor belied a fierce and life-long commitment to the preservation of the natural world, the pursuit of human rights, personal choice, and global peace.

In honor of his decades-long fervent call to action on environmental issues, and climate crisis in particular, memorial contributions may be made in his name to an environmental organization or initiative of your choice.

The family plans a private memorial next Spring.

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