Albert I. Shellman, of Unadilla, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020 at Wilson Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
Albert was born Nov. 6, 1931 in Roscoe to Jasper and Jennie (McAdams) Shellman. As a young man, he learned to work hard, be it on a farm, or digging graves with his dad. As an adult he also painted houses, mowed cemeteries and continued hand-digging graves for years, whatever was necessary to support his family. Later he was employed by the Delaware County Highway Department for over 20 years. He striped the roads and was responsible for calling out the salt trucks and snow plows at night during the winter. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Occupied Germany as one of the first line of defense against a Russian incursion into Europe. He was always very modest about his time served saying, “But I never saw combat.” Nonetheless the threat was there. He served one term as Mayor of Andes in the 70s. He also drove for the Andes Emergency Squad for many years. He loved animals, especially cats, who also loved him. He had many hobbies. He especially enjoyed barbecuing chicken for crowds using a secret barbecue sauce recipe handed down to him by Andes resident Richie Gabriel. He was asked to barbecue chicken for the Twin Rivers Rifle and Pistol Club for many years. A proud day was when they presented him with an honorary jacket for his friendship, even though he wasn’t a member. Another hobby was that of collecting: coins, bottles, pictures of covered bridges and train paraphernalia to name but a few.
He married his loving, patient wife Marian Jeanette Davis on Nov. 9, 1957, shortly after returning from overseas. They were married over 62 years. They lived in her childhood home in Andes for 46 years before downsizing to a small home that he loved on the Susquehanna River in Unadilla 16 years ago.
He was predeceased by his father, Jasper Charles Shellman, mother, Jennie Lynn McAdams Shellman, half siblings Fred and Hazel, brother Charles, sisters Marion and Norma, and great-grandson Connor.
Albert is survived by his wife Marian Davis Shellman, daughter Judy Bellinger (Larry) of Colonie, grandson Dean Barrett of Edgar, Wis., granddaughter Carrie Van Kuren of Charlottesville, VA., great-granddaughters Cayla of Stevens Point, Wis. and Bridget Van Kuren of Charlottesville, Va., sister Carolyn Appley of East Branch and brother Ronald (Josephine) Shellman of East Branch.
Due to COVID concerns, there will be a private memorial at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Andes EMS Rescue Squad, POB 112, Andes, NY 13731 in his name if desired.
Online condolences may be made at www.wmaddenfh.com. Arrangements by the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home, 123 Main Street, Unadilla.
