On Monday, April 25, 2016, Michael Patrick Shanley peacefully "slipped the bonds of earth" at his home here in Mason, in the company of his beloved wife, Gail, family members and friends. Mike was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 27, 1947 and lived on Long Island until he joined the Army in October 1966. He was very active in the Boy Scouts, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout. Mike's stepdad, Bill Davis, managed a newspaper in Oceanside, Long Island, having been a reporter for the Stars & Stripes during WWII. He and Mike attended the 1964 World's Fair in New York, where Mike was the youngest reporter to be issued a press pass.
After completing basic training plus Signal Corps training, Mike was stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force base in northern Thailand. The Signal Corps was tasked with constructing satellite communications stations, which consisted of a concrete slab dotted with equipment trailers, out in the jungles of northern Thailand. Mike spent much time working with the Montagnards, hill tribes that worked closely with the American military during the Vietnam War. These Signal Corps facilities supplemented the communications needs of the Army base at Long Binh, Vietnam.
After Mike was discharged from the Army, he returned to New York City, studying mechanical engineering at Hofstra University. Mike worked at several equipment design and manufacturing firms in New York City and Atlanta, GA, primarily designing food manufacturing equipment for commercial bakeries throughout the country. He also worked for several years with Diebold Safe Company in southern Florida, installing bank vaults and doors in commercial banks.
In the early 1980s, Mike moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he became involved in the screen printing industry; printing cups, all types of advertising items and even ice chests for a variety of customers, including the King Ranch. In 1987, he met Gail Coldiron, and together they continued to develop business interests in the screen printing industry; selling supplies, writing books on screen printing subjects, designing printing equipment and teaching screen printing classes.
In 1994, Mike and Gail relocated to Kerrville and in April 1995, they were married at the YMCA Camp Flaming Arrow in Ingram while on horseback. After several years in Kerrville, Mike and Gail decided to move again and after many miles driven on the backroads, they found Mason. Delighted with Mason's friendly folks and picturesque Square, they moved here in July 1997.
Almost immediately, Mike was recruited by Chester Ellebracht, a hard man to ignore, to serve as Adjutant/Finance Officer for the American Legion Fort Mason Post 285. Mike served in this position as well as a stint as Post Commander until 2014, when he had to resign due to illness. Serving Mason County veterans was a cause always close to his heart.
Living in Mason gave Mike the hometown he had never had and he has very much enjoyed his life and his friends here. No other place has been as dear to his heart as Mason.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Gail Coldiron; his sister, Patricia Ametrano; and his three nieces: Gina and Louisa Ametrano, and Roseann Donnarumma and her family. He is also survived by and will be greatly missed by the Coldiron clan: Janet Coldiron, Burt Coldiron, Brent & Tracie Coldiron, Sam & Michelle Coldiron, Shelby Coldiron & Chris Voss, and Nick & Jen Coldiron. He will be forever in our hearts.
A memorial wake will be held on Wednesday, May 25th, from 4pm – 7pm at the American Legion Post Hall, 237 Post Hill St, Mason. Mike has requested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to The American Legion Fort Mason Post 285 in care of Mason Bank. Donations can also be mailed to American Legion Post 285, PO Box 314, Mason, TX 76856. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family on-line at masonfuneralhome.net.