Joseph B. Shearer

Joseph "Joe" Shearer, 92, of Punta Gorda, passed away quietly in the morning on November 4, 2015. He was born September 16, 1923 in Washington D.C. to O'Neill and Dr. Joseph P. Shearer. Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1942 and served in the Philippine Islands during WWII on the LSM 354 as Motor Machinist First Class until honorably discharged in April 1946. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1948 as a Mechanical Engineer, married Ann and went to work for Worthington Corporation in Buffalo, New York where he raised his family. He finished his career in Houston, Texas as the company's sales manager and representative to the oil and gas industry. Joe retired in 1988, bought and lived on a sailboat for several years before moving to Punta Gorda, Florida, in 1991. There he joined the Punta Gorda Boat Club and Isles Yacht Club where he met many dear friends and shared many sailing and boating experiences. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Ann Shearer; children, Joseph (Susan), David (Kalee), Katherine (Jeff), and Paul(Kelly); seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Byrd and Nancy. The family will have a small private memorial for their dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The family would like to extend their appreciation to the entire staff at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility in Punta Gorda for their compassionate care and support to Joe and his family, making sure that he was comfortable