Oscar Shippee

Old Saybrook — Oscar Shippee, 48, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Oscar was born Oct. 26, 1968, on the U.S. Air Force base in Madrid, Spain and while he grew up in numerous places, Old Saybrook was his home for the past 25 years. He loved the town and was especially proud of becoming a volunteer member of the Old Saybrook Fire Department. There he found a great group of men and women who were like family. Oscar graduated from Montville High School in 1987 and was employed as a letter carrier by the Old Saybrook Post Office, a job he truly loved.

Oscar leaves behind his wife, Renee (Root) Shippee; his father, Roy Shippee; brother, Roy Shippee Lopez and his wife, Suzanne; his sister, Ana Ellington; fatherin-law, Norman G. Root Sr.; and mother-in-law, Camille; brother-in-law, Norman G. Root Jr. and his wife, Jacqueline; and brother-in-law, Christopher M . Root Sr. and his wife, Dana. In addition, he leaves behind his nieces and nephews, Ashley Shippee and her mother, Melissa Martinez, Antonio Shippee Lopez, Kelly Richards, Kevin Richards, Stephen Ellington and his wife, Lynn, Maria Ellington, Kelsey Root, Chloe Root, Norman G. Root III, Christopher M. Root Jr., Trevor Root, Alexie Root, Kasey Root; his great-nephew, Isaias Ellington; and cats, Kasey, Morgan and Shamrock.

He was predeceased by his mother, Ana Shippee; and his beloved cat, Minnie.

Oscar was a very thoughtful, kind and generous person. He loved traveling, shopping, grilling and spending time with friends and family. It would be hard to name a sport he didn’t love. The television was always on when the New England Patriots or the New York Yankees were playing. Oscar will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but rest assured, he will be watching over all of us from above.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Old Saybrook, followed by a reception at Fireman’s Field also located in Old Saybrook. The reception will be a casual celebration of Oscar’s life. Feel free to attend in your favorite sports attire.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.