Albert Shaw, Former Massachusetts State Transportation Official, Dies at 84

Albert (Al) Shaw, who served as Assistant Secretary for Energy, Technology and Management in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation during the Deval Patrick administration, died on May 5 in Boston surrounded by family after a long illness.  He was 84.

He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, the youngest of five children of Albert Shaw and Sue Mary (Bradley) Shaw.

Mr. Shaw had an extensive and dedicated career of military and public service.  Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in which he served for ten years, stationed at air bases across the U.S., Labrador, Canada, and Wiesbaden, Germany.  During the tumultuous period of the 1960s that encompassed Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights movement, he worked as a community organizer for the Southeast Neighborhood Action Board in Washington, D.C.  He subsequently directed one of the nation's first community-based methadone maintenance programs in collaboration with Dr. Robert DuPont, former Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.  He later transitioned to working inside local government as a group counselor for adjudicated youth in custody at the District of Columbia Children's Center.

In 1975, Mr. Shaw interrupted his career and relocated to Boston to complete his college education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Master in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Returning then to the District of Columbia, he served as a campaign coordinator for Mayor Walter Washington's unsuccessful bid for re-election.  The campaign loss of Mayor Washington, for whom Mr. Shaw had great respect and affection, spurred a career pivot to his becoming a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. State Department, with assignment to the U.S. Embassy in Paris and later to Washington, D.C.

Back to Boston in the late 1980s, he assisted in the William Weld campaign for governor.  Once Governor Weld was elected, Mr. Shaw independently organized experts and other professionals to identify critical minority issues in healthcare, housing, criminal justice and economic development that required action by the new administration.  Governor Weld appointed him to the MBTA Board of Directors, where he served for four years and acquired a passionate interest in transportation matters, particularly the potential of high-speed rail.  After operating a small management consulting business serving non-profit organizations for many years, he resumed political activities to serve on the advisory committee for the Deval Patrick campaign for governor.  Upon the successful outcome of that campaign, he joined Governor Patrick's administration as Assistant Secretary for Energy, Technology and Management in the Department of Transportation from which he retired.

Mr. Shaw resided in Newton with his family.  He was a beloved husband, father, family member, and friend.  He will be deeply missed by all.

Pursuant to his wishes, there will be no service.  Mr. Shaw's life was dedicated to helping others.  If you desire to do anything in remembrance of him, a simple act of kindness would more than suffice.