Verdon Leroy Shelton Ii

Mr. Roy Shelton, 82, of 56th Street West, Bradenton died Sunday September 22, 2019 in his home of complications from Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Born April 16, 1937, in Buffalo NY, he was the son of Verdon LeRoy and Gertrude Elizabeth (Gibbins) Shelton.

Roy graduated from Kenmore High School, NY in 1954 and attended college at Buffalo State, Ithaca College, and St. Bonaventure University. Roy joined the US Naval Reserve and was discharged in 1962. Before retiring to Bradenton, FL, he lived in Olean, NY from 1958-1982 and Wayne, NJ from 1982-2000.

Roy was employed as a Manager/Coordinator for tour and travel planning at Blue Bird Coach Lines in Olean, NY, Community Coach (Coach USA) in Paterson, NJ, and Scholastic Tours. The tour and travel industry provided Roy with many exciting opportunities, a highlight of which was his work with the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY.

He was very active in youth athletics serving as an Olean Little League Coach & Official from 1958-1968 and as an Olean YMCA Boys Swim Team Coach and Western NY YMCA League Official from 1968-1973. Roy was very active with softball and in 1968 helped form the Tavern Softball League in Olean, NY receiving the Mike Abdo Memorial Award for his efforts. In Olean he was an active player from 1958-1982. In Wayne NJ, Roy helped form a 40 & over Softball league where he continued as an active player in the over 40, over 50, over 60, and over 65 teams from 1987-2004. Additionally he enjoyed swimming and bowling. He enjoyed all sports especially the Buffalo Bills and Saint Bonaventure Bonnies. Roy greatly appreciated all forms of music and theater.

Roy was a member of the American Bus Association 1970-2000 with a Master of Transportation Administration and the National Tour Association 1972-2000 as a Certified Tour Professional, he was on the Wayne Township Recreation Advisory Board from 1996-2002, a Board member of the Meadowcroft Condo Association from 2013-2019, he was a member of BPOE #491 Olean, a Life Member of American Legion #530 Olean, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose #2188 Anna Maria Island. Roy is also a registered organ donor.

Roy is survived by his daughters April (Joseph Luca) Shelton of Olean, NY and Tracy (Joseph) Crisafulli of Allegany, NY and their mother Harlene Shelton of Olean, NY, granddaughter Kelly Jo Crisafulli of Olean, NY and grandson Kyle Crisafulli of Allegany, NY, sister Gail Berry of Rome, NY, brother Walter (Nafisa) Shelton of Monroe, NC, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brother-in-law William Berry, USAF Ret. Roy also

leaves behind his many friends that he has acquired over the years, they were so very important to him.

A celebration of life will be held at the Casey, Halwig, Hartel Funeral Home in Olean, NY. Another celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined in Bradenton, FL. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Acacia Park & Resthaven Cemetery, North Tonawanda, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tidewell Hospice, Philanthropy Department, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238; the Rehabilitation Foundation, 1439 Buffalo Street, Olean, NY 14760; or Clancy’s Shamrock Shiver, 6218 Cortez Rd. W, Bradenton FL 34210.