NEWPORT, R.I. – Robert Joseph Shinners, 94, of Eustis Avenue, passed away peaceably Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at home. He was the husband of Margaret Agnes (Grady) Shinners. Born June 28, 1916, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., he was a son of the late Michael Joseph A. and Catherine (Dobbs) Shinners.
After attending Louisiana State University he was employed by Central Hudson Gas and Electric, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was then employed at Ford, Bacon and Davis, Newport, R.I. He served in the Army Air Corps in Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, during World War II. After his service he then worked for Stone and Webster Engineering Corp., Boston. Ten years later he joined Great Northern Paper Co., where he transitioned from construction engineering to paper manufacturing and production. Mr. Shinners worked for Great Northern Paper Co. in Millinocket, retiring as vice president of Northern Division in 1981. He then formed a consulting company called Dutchess Consulting and ended his career as a senior consultant to Leaf River Paper Co. during the construction of their pulp mill in Hattiesburg, Miss., in 1977. He retired in Newport, R.I., where he enjoyed his roses and his garden.
In addition to his wife of 66 years, he leaves his son, Robert J. Shinners Jr. of Florida; his daughter, Dr. Kathleen Dobbs Shinners of Newport, R.I.; grandson, Mark J. Shinners and his wife, Dr. Jennifer Shinners, of Maine; his granddaughter, Jennifer K. Shinners of New Hampshire; two great-grandchildren; his sister, Veronica Dulligan of Florida; many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Marjorie H. Shinners and William M. Shinners.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held 9 a.m. Friday, March 11, at St. Joseph’s Church, Mann Avenue and Broadway, Newport, R.I. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Shinner’s memory to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are with O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport, R.I.
www.onhfh.com