Lance E. Shaw, 51

PITTSFIELD — Lance Edwin Shaw, 51, passed away suddenly from a brief battle with cancer on Aug. 14, 2024.

Lance was the center of gravity to an eclectic group of friends and family that found each other in their late teens and remain close to this day. They did everything together, from the concerts of their youth to the late-night poker parties of middle age. They got married, had children and were an embarrassing gaggle of aunts and uncles.

In July of 1995 Lance met the single greatest addition to this band of weirdos, Carrie Drew. She played hard-to-get for 10 years before finally eloping in Las Vegas on May 20, 2005. They chose the same day as the 10-year anniversary of best friends Shawn and Steph so they could share the same date every year. They have one son, William, who looks more like his old man every day.

He was a machinist in his 20s, but at the close of the millennium Lance discovered his passion: computers. This eventually led to coding and internet technology. He was a high school drop-out and never enrolled in a single college course in his life. But with hard work, perseverance and an incredible mentor named Seames, he eventually became a major player in a local internet service provider. Lance and Carrie bought their own home in 2009, and Lance was able to partially retire in his 40s.

Lance had a big heart and an explosive sense of humor. He was a loving husband and a good father. He cherished his friends, even when separated by long distances or the passage of time. His absence will be deeply felt by those he leaves behind. Lance was predeceased by his mother, Judi, and brother, Alan.

He is survived by his wife, Carrie, of Pittsfield and his son, William, of Pittsfield, his father, Glenn Shaw and wife Pam, of Gilford, his sister, Laura Cameron and husband Tim, of Gilford, and his fur babies, Cooper and Tilly.

No formal memorial is planned. Instead, the family will be conducting a celebration of life at a future date and will send invitations accordingly.

Instead of flowers or cards, the family asks that those who are able make a donation to their local humane society.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.