SHELTON: John F. Shail, age 85, entered eternal rest on January 10, 2026, at Masonicare at Bishop Wicke Health & Rehab Center in Shelton. He was the beloved husband of sixty-six years to Mary Anne (Tregger) Shail.
Born in Waterbury on February 1, 1940, he was the son of the late George and Mildred Ellsworth Shail. John was a resident of Seymour before moving to Shelton for the past nineteen years. He was employed at RBC Heim Bearings Company in Fairfield for thirty-seven years until his retirement in 2000. John was a member and usher at the First Methodist Church in Shelton as well as a member of the Asbury Ridge Condominium Residents Association. He was a kind hearted, caring person and enjoyed volunteering at the Spooner House in Shelton for many years. John had a passion for painting and enjoyed taking classes and expressing his creativity on canvas painting mostly scenic and famous landmark paintings. Above all, John cherished his family and spending quality time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife Mary Anne, John leaves to cherish his memory, sons, John M. Shail (Rebecca) of St. Joseph’s, MI and Edward T. Shail (Debbie) of Seymour, daughter, Laura Shail (Suzi) of Milton, VT, grandchildren, Gressa Quinn (Damon) of North Haven, Matthew Shail of Los Angeles, CA, Sam Gouriny of Oakville, Kara Shail of St. Joseph’s, MI, Cassidy Shail of Milton, VT, John Shail of Milton, VT, Ivy Shail of Seymour and Eden Shail of Seymour, great-grandchildren, Kate Quinn, Coral Quinn and Austin Shail, nieces and nephews, Judy Liestman, Leif Tregger, Kim Gentile, Lawrence Tregger and Kris D’Amico, cousins, Anne Murray (Jon) and Laura Burstein. He was predeceased by his brother, George Shail and a sister, Joan Melita.
A funeral service in celebration of John’s life will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road in Shelton. Burial will be private. The SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia has been privileged with the arrangements. Contributions in John’s memory may be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. To sign John’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit, www.spinelliricciutifh.com.