COLIN “ROY” SHAW

With an incredibly heavy heart, we announce the sudden passing of Colin “Roy” Shaw.

He was born October 25th, 1962, to Colin and Elsie Shaw in MacGregor, MB. He was a little brother for Sandra to play and grow up with. He and Sandra made many memories together on the farm… and likely had many fights too, as kids. They both discovered their love for animals in childhood and both have had many pets since. Growing up on the farm taught them both about hard work to which Roy definitely carried throughout his career as an Industrial Mechanic and into his homelife. It would seem that his love of motorcycles came from the farm as well as they had the tiniest little mini bike that he would ride around the yard - no riding on the road back then.

Roy attended his early years schooling in MacGregor, MB, graduating from Grade 12 in June of 1980. Shortly after graduation, he made the move to Carberry MB, where he began working at the Carnation Plant which would eventually become McCain Foods. He would work here from December 1981 until December 2001. While he didn’t start there as an Industrial Mechanic, they gave him the opportunity to apprentice and off he went to Keewatin Community College in The Pas, MB, (now known as University College of the North) to attain each level needed to get his ticket. And who knew that he would meet the love of his life there! (I can hear him giggling now!) Roy and I (Dannette Zaharia) met at College and even when his 2 month stint for a level was complete, he would faithfully make the trip north on his 7 days off from the plant every month.

Roy had a lot to get used to with the Zaharia clan… firstly, he had to get used to having a child around, with Laine now in his life. And then secondly, with Dannette’s 4 brothers. But, as expected, he fit right in. And with 3 brothers owning Harleys, his love for motorcycles became more and more apparent.

Eventually Roy and Dannette would end up in Winnipeg… he gave up his job in Carberry in order to be with Dannette and Laine in the city. At this time he took a job at Ancast Ind. He didn’t love it… but he did it for us. Plus he bought his first Harley Davidson when he moved to the city and those Harleys would become his first love.

Roy and Dannette married on February 23, 2002, shortly after buying a house. And in August of 2003, he began his job at Winpak where he stayed until he retired on October 31st, 2025. He spent more hours than I care to share upgrading or just working on his Harley. He shined it so much and so often that I’m surprised he didn’t rub the paint off. We shouldn’t forget he also babied his vehicles - another love for him was his truck. He was always polishing and cleaning and making additions to the truck as well. He was a fantastic mechanic and would not only take care of his truck, Harley, SUV, and 5th wheel but also the many vehicles Laine went through in his teen years.

Roy was really a jack of all trades. He built a special room in the garage for his beloved Harley. Yes, this room was completely insulated and kept above zero in winter. He built fences and decks and stairs and shelves and gazebos and wood sheds to name a few. He was also a “master” at fixing things like small appliances and things on my SUV and his truck and way more. He always did his research first and then away he went and solved the problems that were likely created by Dannette or Laine. There was always something for him to install or change. But darn it - he never did build me the railing I continued to harass him about for about 15 years!

Roy enjoyed going on winter vacations and had the pleasure of travelling every winter for 10+ years. He was happy on the beach… burning (even though I told him to use sunscreen), drinking cocktails and beer, and having tons of laughs with our traveling partners. He had been to Cuba, Jamaica and various places in Mexico, with the last trip being to Puerto Vallarta in November of 2025. But, as stated before, his true love was traveling on his Harley. He loved it. We were fortunate to have great traveling companions and did at least one big road trip each summer. His favorite trips included going out to Kimberley BC and touring around with our good friends from Winnipeg and Kimberley. He rode to Helena Montana and saw the sights on the way with Steve. We rode to Wisconsin with Pat and Cindy and then last year, we finally got to go to Thunder Bay. Numerous short trips to places like Fargo and International Falls among other places were also very common as well. He was always out riding, even for a short one, out the south end of the city which he had done a million times. He never tired of it. Never.

As most of you know, Roy had quite the sense of humour and he ALWAYS had a witty retort. I’m sure that many of you have had numerous laughs with him. It was always shocking how fast he came up with these retorts and normally everyone was laughing so hard that they were crying. I have to say that he truly made me laugh every single day. Every… single… day. He was also a master with his memory and knew all kinds of trivia and various other things that seriously no one else would ever remember. This came in handy for him when playing trivia games - to which I refused to play against him because I knew he would know the answers to the most ridiculous questions.

Roy was the kindest, funniest, and most loving person that Laine and I could have ever asked for. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. He was a great father to Laine, and he was the best dad to our fur babies. He was truly the best husband, the best life partner, the best partner in crime, he was truly the love of my life.

Roy is survived by his wife, Dannette; son, Laine; his sister Sandra and husband Keith; and his beloved fur babies, Stuart and Ozzy. He also leaves to mourn relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by his father, Colin, and his mother, Elsie.

“If I had my life to live over again, 

I would find you sooner 

so that I could love you longer.”

Love you forever… 

Dannette.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 15th, 2026, 7pm - 10pm, at TCB (Trans Canada Brewing Co.) located at 1290 Kenaston Blvd. Please come by and have a beer or two and some of Roy’s favorite snacks on us! I know Roy had many friends and he would want to buy you one last beer.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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