Steven Raymond Shaw's Obituary
Steven Raymond Shaw of Highland, California entered into eternal rest on February 13, 2025. Steve was born June 19,1952, in San Bernardino. He was a third generation San Bernardino native. He was a graduate of San Bernardino High School, San Bernardino Valley College Fire Academy, and Loma Linda University School of Paramedics. He proudly worked as a paramedic for Courtesy Ambulance for many years, and he worked for over 20 years with the San Bernardino City Fire Department, working his way up from Firefighter to Captain. Steve loved helping people, he was always ready to assist in any situation, he was very humble, he was a great firefighter, and a great friend.
Steve was very passionate about his city of San Bernardino and preserving its history along with the history of the San Bernardino City Fire Department. Steve, along with his friend Allen Bone, developed the Pioneer Fire Museum on Boyd St. in San Bernardino. They later developed a permanent home for their collection when they were instrumental in co-founding the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum at the 1918 Santa Fe Depot on Third St. They also planned many events at the museum to promote San Bernardino including Railroad Days and Pioneer Days.
Steve was also the president of the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society for 18 years. He worked on historical displays for many years for the National Orange Show as well. Steve worked tirelessly to find San Bernardino artifacts for the Museum and Historical Society including San Bernardino’s first jail cell and the original school bell from San Bernardino High School both now located at the Society’s main building at 8th and D streets. Steve authored a book on the history of the San Bernardino City Fire Department and also a book on the history of San Bernardino, both of which are still in publication today. Steve, along with Rabbi Hillel Cohn, was instrumental in the planning of the events for the City of San Bernardino’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2010, and he wrote a chapter in the book titled San Bernardino Bicentennial 1810-2010. He collected numerous antiques, artifacts and pictures of San Bernardino City, as well as numerous fire memorabilia antiques, artifacts and pictures, many of which are proudly displayed in his home and at the Museum and Historical Society. Steve and Allen, along with two other friends, lovingly restored the San Bernardino City Fire Department’s 1890 horse-drawn hose wagon which was proudly displayed in 8 Tournament of Roses parades, 3 Hollywood Christmas parades, and numerous other parades and events throughout the Inland Empire and beyond. Steve, along with Allen Bone, was also instrumental in restoring numerous monuments in San Bernardino including the Soldiers and Sailors monument at the San Bernardino Feldheym Library, the monument on Inland Center Dr. commemorating the founding of San Bernardino Valley in 1810, and the Camp Cajon monument in Cajon Pass. Steve gave many presentations to different organizations on the history of San Bernardino and the history of the San Bernardino City Fire Department. Steve was also a member of Native Sons of the Golden West his entire adult life. Steve truly believed in the importance of preserving the past so others can learn about it and appreciate it as well.
Steve faced some physical challenges later in life and met them all with great courage. For over 20 years he battled Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a progressive neuropathy which reduced the strength and function in his legs and feet. He also battled dementia for the past 10 years. However, he was still always ready to assist anyone in need, always had a funny story about his paramedic and firefighting days, and always had a smile.
Steve was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, nephew, firefighter, and friend.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Patricia Shaw, his brother Gregory Shaw, his uncle Jack Strickler and aunt Lila Shaw Strickler, his uncle George Moran and aunt Vernice Norton Moran, and his uncle Lee Snyder and aunt Margaret Moran Snyder. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Gail Shaw, his daughter Kelly Shaw of San Bernardino, his son Michael Shaw of New Orleans, their mother, Teresa McCarthy of San Bernardino, all of Gail’s family who loved him dearly, as well as numerous cousins, friends, and fellow firefighters.
A celebration of life will be held at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. His ashes will later be scattered at sea off the coast of Southern California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Steven Raymond Shaw to the San Bernardino Historical and Pioneer Society, P.O. Box 875, San Bernardino, CA 92402.
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