Obituaries

-- Matt Schudel

F. Barry ShayPatent Lawyer

Frederick Barry Shay, a retired patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office who became a patent lawyer, died of complications of pneumonia Oct. 7 at Sibley Memorial Hospital. He was 84.

Mr. Shay was born the youngest of three sons in Buffalo and grew up there and in Midland, Ontario. He served in the Army infantry from 1943 to 1946 in the Asian Pacific theater.

After graduating from Canisius College in Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, Mr. Shay taught high school math in Bliss, N.Y. In 1952, he joined the staff at the Catholic mission of Friendship House in Harlem, N.Y., where he met his future wife.

Mr. Shay graduated from Georgetown University's law school in 1960 and worked at the Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner specializing in toys and gem cutting, among other areas, for more than 30 years. After his retirement in 1986, Mr. Shay continued to work in patent law in private practice.

Mr. Shay, a resident of Washington, was a parishioner at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, where he was a member of the Aramatheans, a Bible study group, and the choir. He volunteered at Christ House in the District.

Mr. Shay enjoyed Irish dancing and was a member of the Blackthorn Stick dancing group. His other hobbies included chess, theater, telescope-making and travel.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Jane Prah Shay of Washington; three children, David Shay of Silver Spring, Joseph Shay of Brighton, Mass., and Mary Shay Doughty of North Andover, Mass.; a foster son, James Kelly of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and seven grandchildren.

-- Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb

Frank DonaltyShipping Executive

Frank Donalty, 67, a top executive of a Washington shipping company, died of a heart attack Oct. 11 at Inova Fairfax Hospital. He lived in Great Falls.

Mr. Donalty was a partner and chief financial officer of Fettig & Donalty, a company that charters cargo vessels for the international shipping industry. Acting as a broker and agent for countries, businesses and private relief agencies, he arranged contracts for transporting commodities internationally by ship, truck and rail.

He also managed cargo operations at ports in the United States, Australia and elsewhere throughout the world.

Mr. Donalty was born in Utica, N.Y., and worked his way through a Catholic high school as a golf caddy. He graduated from Niagara University. He served as a Navy officer from 1962 to 1966, including a year aboard the USS Independence aircraft carrier. He also supervised a Navy petroleum inspection station in Saudi Arabia and managed operations of tankers transporting petroleum for the Navy.

Mr. Donalty joined the predecessor of Fettig & Donalty in 1966 and was made a full partner in 1971.

He was appointed to the National Defense Executive Reserve by the secretary of transportation. He served as a U.S. participant in NATO conferences and was chairman of the NATO tankers committee during NATO exercises.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Association of Shipbrokers and Agents and chaired its government activities committee. He was elected to the board of governors of the Propeller Club and was a member of the City Club, Great Falls Citizens Association and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Great Falls.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Mary Lynn "Lindy" Donalty of Great Falls; four children, Sean Donalty of Oak Harbor, Wash., Trish Donalty of Washington, Erin Donalty of Great Falls and Brian Donalty of Fairfax County; one brother; two sisters; and two grandsons.

-- Matt Schudel