Harry Shinebarger Obituary

Ballston Spa, NY - Harry Shinebarger loved being with family. The whole family. Some of the family. One of the dogs in the family. Any family. No matter the size of the gathering, he was at his best and happiest when those he loved the most were close. He told the same jokes again and again then sprinkled in the last good one he'd heard. He wanted to know the latest in everyone's life. There was no accomplishment too small for Harry to display the pride he had in his family. He was surrounded by his closest family when he passed peacefully on Tuesday May 2, 2023 at age 85. Of course, that would include the love of his life, Donna Shinebarger, his wife of nearly 61 years. Their daughter Gretchen was there holding her father's hand and it seemed Harry waited until his son Marc returned to the hospital before he left this earth. Harry is survived by Donna, Gretchen and Marc and by his grandchildren Eric, Elaina, Bryn, and by marriage, Riley and Anna. Granddaughter Kristen preceded Harry in death. On the day he went into surgery for a major heart operation Harry said his one regret in life was losing Kristen so young. But he also said he'd done everything he could ask for and lived as full a life as he could imagine. He told his favorite joke to anyone who would listen in the minutes before his surgery. Laughter was life to him. He was born in 1937, to Roland and Alta Mae Shinebarger in Hornell, NY. He was the youngest of five children (his siblings Vera, Bob, Ron and Larry preceded him in death). Harry served in the U. S. Navy and Navy Reserve before a 35 year career with the New York State Police. Along the way he earned a Master's in Public Administration. He and Donna were inseparable. They golfed together. They shopped together. Donna shopped more than Harry. He drove. They traveled to Europe several times but Harry was equally fascinated by what was new to him on short day trips not far from their home of 55 years in Ballston Spa, NY. Harry found wonder in the small things. A heart shaped leaf on a trail, the night sky, anything that engaged his curiosity. Harry loved the Green Bay Packers and late in life he made the journey to see a game at Lambeau Field. But his most cherished trips were always those that brought more of the family together as one. He volunteered to feed and walk the dogs, the dogs being family. He made the holiday drive 3 hours in the snow because to do so meant he was with more family. Harry asked questions. Of family, friends, anyone. He really wanted to know the answers. He didn't talk about himself. He wanted to hear what others were interested in, what achievements they'd had. He made just about everyone feel the moment they were sharing with him mattered uniquely. And it did. Everyone he touched felt his warmth, his genuine interest and for certain they remembered his distinctive laughter. And fitting for Harry, with his delivery to the hospital staff of arguably his best joke ever, in his final waking moments on the way to surgery, he left them laughing. Relatives and friends may call from 10-11:45am, on Monday, May 15, 2023 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated that day at 12:30pm, at St. Mary's Church, 167 Milton Ave. , Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Burial with military honors will follow at 2pm at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harry's name to Sarcoma Strong Inc. , C/O Matthew DiCaprio, 1367 Washington Ave, Suite 200, Albany, NY 12206. Online remembrances may be made at www. burkefuneralhome. com