Earl R. Shay, Jr., 77 of Upper Nazareth Twp. passed to his Savior on Thursday, May 12, 2022.

Earl was born in Reading on March 28, 1945 to the late Rev. Dr. Earl R. Shay, Sr. and Margaret (Bath) Shay. After his mother’s untimely death, Earl’s father married Evelyn Iobst. The family served as missionaries for the Moravian Church in Bethel, Alaska. Earl’s father then became a Moravian minister in Hope, Indiana where the family resided.

Earl completed high school at Hauser High School, where his love for musical instruments and music thrived and became embedded in his future. Earl completed his undergraduate and graduate doctoral course requirements at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He taught music at a number of high schools and would often be seen conducting a score in mid-air while reading music.

Earl was an accomplished church organist and choir director. Music was Earl’s life, and his interest in Moravian music was an important contribution to the Shay family. More recently, Earl worked as a technical assistant at Gardner Law Office and at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub at Christmas selling shortbread on Main Street. Before or after work he was a huge fan of Banoffi Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding at the Pub, often eating more than one, ending with a huge smile on his face. Earl enjoyed life and the people who surrounded him.

Survivors include siblings, Glenn T. (Carolyn) Shay of Indianapolis, IN; Dr. Linda Shay Gardner, Esq. (Neville) of Bethlehem, PA; Nancy L. (David) Heintzelman of Hellertown, PA; Kenneth D. Shay of Cathedral City, CA; David E. (Anne) Shay of Coplay, OH; Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. In addition to his parents, Earl is predeceased by his step-mother, Evelyn F. (Iobst) Shay and nephew Christopher Heintzelman.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. 326 Main Street, Hellertown, followed by the service at 6:30 p.m. at the Heintzelman Funeral Home. The interment at Hebron Cemetery, Lebanon, PA will be private. The service will be on the funeral home Facebook page for those unable to attend. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, near and dear to the Shay family, care of the funeral home, 18055.