Obituary of James E. Shelby

LeRoy ~ James E. Shelby, 72, former proprietor of Shelby's Jewelers in Le Roy, died peacefully at home Thursday afternoon, February 21, 2019.

Jim was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1946. He was the oldest of five children of the late Edward and Mary Eleanor Shelby.

He attended Holy Family School in Le Roy and Notre Dame High School in Batavia. Jim led a life of service to those around him, attending seminary and doing missionary work before graduating from Canisius College in 1968 with a degree in Sociology. He served in the United States Army as a military policeman in Germany during Viet Nam and was a social worker before joining the family business in 1974.

He had a lifelong love of history and sharing knowledge, and enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments as well as being an active member of the Scottish Heritage Society of Rochester.

Jim was devoted to his family, and is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sharon Elaine Walkup Shelby, five children, Brighid Shelby, Katie (Joel Patterson) Shelby, Michael Shelby, Joseph Shelby, and Andrew (Corrie) Shelby; three siblings, Thomas (Bonita) Shelby, Karen M. (Thomas) Barber, Maureen A. (John) Leahy, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Gwen M. (Robert) Harris.

Family and friends may call on Monday, Feb. 25 from 4 ~ 7 P.M. at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road, Le Roy. His Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, Mar. 2 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, St. Peter's Church, 44 Lake St., LeRoy. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Parish, LeRoy Ambulance Service, Notre Dame High School or to the Scottish Heritage Society of Rochester.