Terry L. Shaver, 67, Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG -- Funeral services for Terry L. Shaver, age 67, of Ogdensburg will be held on Friday, June 14th, 2024 at Frary Funeral Home at 3 p.m. with Rev. Walter Smith officiating.

Calling hours will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service.

Mr. Shaver passed away on Tuesday June 11, 2024, surrounded by his family and under the care of Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Frary Funeral Home, Ogdensburg.

Terry is survived by his wife, Carol (Ward) of Ogdensburg, NY; his children, Christina and her husband, Dan Frank of Ogdensburg, NY, Thomas (T.O.) Shaver and his wife, Krista of Peru, NY, and Tyler Shaver of Ogdensburg, NY; sister, Dona Brown of Rensselaer Falls, NY; several nieces and nephews; and those that made him smile most, grandchildren, Chloe, Colbie, and Dax Frank and Harper Shaver.

Terry was predeceased by his parents, Glenn O. and Eva M. (Mashaw); brothers, Gerald, Donald, Richard, and Harold, and sisters, Jean and Linda Shaver.

Terry was born on January 21, 1957, to Glenn and Eva (Mashaw) Shaver, the youngest of 8 children.

Splitting time between Rensselaer Avenue and Rensselaer Falls, he grew up with an instilled sense of working hard from sunrise to sunset, striving to provide a life for his family.

In high school, Terry met the love of his life, Carol Ward. They married on September 6, 1980, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg, NY and have spent the last 43 years building their home and a family. Together, they never missed a concert, an opportunity to dine out, or their children’s big moments.

Terry graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1975, a jack of all trades. He worked as a delivery man for A.J. Missert, Inc. until 1984, when he enrolled at Canton ATC.

Before graduating, opportunity knocked in 1987 and he became a professional firefighter for the city of Ogdensburg, serving as President of the Local 1799 and resident shift chef for many years.

Never one to sit still, during his tenure as a firefighter and continuing after his retirement in 2015, Terry drove school buses for various companies in the North Country, including Roethel’s, Flack, Laidlaw, and First Student.

Terry was above all self-sufficient, willing to learn any trade to save paying someone else to do something of which he was capable. After building his family’s home, a hobby became an occupation as he worked as an independent contractor.

Terry also operated TLS Meter Readers, contracted to read natural gas meters for St. Lawrence Gas and Liberty Utilities throughout the North Country.

Terry played the drums in several local bands, most notably in Rocking Horse. After leaving the band, he continued to play a mean steering wheel while driving. Music was his love, and he never passed up a new vinyl or song on iTunes, a quality speaker, or a chance to see live music.

In 1976, Terry took the helm of his father’s then thirty year old Christmas tree business, Shaver’s Trees, and his name became synonymous with the holiday. The Christmas tree business was a seasonal way of family life for Terry.

His level of dedication to Christmas in the North Country can be summed up in two anecdotes: Terry knew his customers so well that he could pick your perfect tree before you even entered the yard, and he was so committed that he didn’t mind selling you a tree after he’d closed up for the night in his boots, signature wool coat, and boxers.

Donations may be made in Terry’s memory to the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club or Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club, in support of the youth sports programs that he coached and that provided opportunities for his children and continue to for his grandchildren.