Marvin Leon Shaha
August 2, 1925 - April 25, 2021
Marvin Shaha, or “Marvin the Magnificent” to his family, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Sunday, April 25, at the age of 95. Marvin was born in Lawrence, Kansas, the middle of 3 brothers. He grew up in the country, helping on farms, plowing fields, and driving farm equipment by age 12. He always found a way to “fix” things. He was part of the do-it-yourself generation and was the original MacGyver.
After his family migrated to California, Marvin attended John Muir Jr. High and Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, followed by his junior and senior years at Southern California Military Academy in Long Beach. He played the euphonium, and his brothers played their respective horns, in the Academy Marching Band, participating in many parades around Los Angeles. His daughters would persuade him to walk out on the front porch of their Crenshaw District home to blow a few frighteningly loud notes on many New Year’s Eves.
After graduation, he worked at Douglas Aircraft Company, later McDonnell Douglas, as a windshield installer on the A-20 Havoc Bomber. In 1942 at age 17, he quit work to join the Army Air Corps. He was a sharpshooter, radio mechanic, and typist extraordinaire.
Following World War II, Marvin returned to Douglas Aircraft where he continued his life’s work. Over the course of 41 years, he held all manner of manufacturing positions until his final position as Director of Final Assembly for the DC-10 Program. Marvin loved all things airplanes from the time he was a boy. His pride and joy was working on the wide-body DC-10, especially since he was a wide-body himself with his broad shoulders and amazing strength for a short Irish Shaha. His work colleagues recognized him as an organized, extremely devoted and hard-working nice guy. He attended company retiree luncheons in Long Beach until last year, and he was the oldest of the old guard. His few flaws included ridiculously short nectkies, pocket protectors, crazy rumpled hats, and absolutely no sense of style.
In 1947, Marvin met and is survived by the love of his life, Nina Adorian. He was immediately swept up into her Armenian family, becoming an honorary Armenian and active member of her church. They were married in 1948, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage on Valentine’s Day. Marvin and Nina have four daughters, Victoria Townsend (Richard Friedlander), Nina Michele White (Darrell White, deceased), Cynthia Shaha (Philip Neel), and Adrienne (Drini) Shaha (Craig Levy). The girls were well-trained assistants in changing oil and lubing cars, riding horses, and they all inherited his broad shoulders, short legs, and brute strength.
Marvin loved his six grandchildren, Jessica Townsend-Ballesteros (Alfredo Ballesteros, deceased), Jeremy Townsend (Carly), Amanda Shapshair (Joshua), and Erin Neel, Stephanie Neel, and Matthew Neel. He was a proud great grandfather to Zachary Ballesteros, Presley and Parker Townsend, and Bronn Sharpshair. He graciously performed nanny duties for his grandchildren, attended school performances and sporting events, and was always on call to help at any time of the day or night.
Marvin was a humble, religious man who believed in God, and he loved and served United Armenian Congregational Church as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Deacon. Quietly and without desiring thanks, attention, or acknowledgement, he gave of himself to anyone in need. He helped friends and neighbors, and for many years he helped care for his parents, mother-in-law, and brotherin-law in their times of need.
Marvin and Nina traveled the United States and Canada on road trips with Nina’s beloved cousins, George and Mary Poosikian. A six hour drive was a short hop for Marvin, but he loved cars and being behind the wheel, chasing the horizon.
Punctual to a fault, Marvin heard God’s call early in the morning, and not wanting to miss his flight, boarded the DC-10 for his final flight to join his family, friends, and devoted dogs who went before him. At 95 years old there were so many waiting to greet him. He loved to dance, and we are hopeful Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire will give him a few free lesson.