John Shavel

John Shavel Jr, 87, of Alfred, Maine, formerly of Mendham, N.J. passed away Sunday October 17 2004 at Goodall Hospital, Sanford, Maine as a result of a stroke.Born July 3, 1917, at Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., the son of Russian immigrants, he developed an early passion for science and in particular, chemistry, which was to become his life's work.He received his B.S. in Organic Chemistry at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1939, his M.S. in 1940, and his Ph.D. at Notre Dame University in 1951, He proudly served as Lieutenant Jg. In the United States Navy aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Herndon from 1943-46 in the Pacific and European theatres.He worked at Merck Inc, Abbot Laboratories, and at Warner-Lambert Pharmaceuticals, from 1951 until his retirement in 1977. He served as Director of Organic Chemistry at Warner-Lambert from 1965 until 1977.He was a member of the AAAS and the American Chemistry Society, and his work included development and synthesis of drugs and related compounds; alkaloids, radioisotopes in synthesis of radioactive drugs, which resulted in 140 patents and over 70 publications. Additionally, his interests included horticulture, cooking, poetry and his keen wit and intellect were lifelong attributes. He was a kind, sensitive man whose love of, and devotion to family was intense.He was a communicant of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Mendham, N.J, and had served as a vestryman there. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years, Olga, in 1984.Surviving are his son, John A. Shavel and his wife Paulette of Tom's River N.J., son Thomas and wife Renee of Chester, N.H. son James and wife Jane of North Yarmouth, Maine, and son Richard of Deerfield, N.H.; grandchildren Michael, Allison, Sarah, John, Kate and Jesse; a sister Alice Kittick of N.Y., and nephews John Kittick of N.Y. and John Young of Farmingdale, N.Y., and nieces Margie DeRosa of Huntington, N.Y. , Delores Licari and Valerie Scott, both of St James, N.Y.There will be no visiting hours.A graveside memorial service to honor his life will be held at Hilltop Cemetary, Mendham, NJ at a date to be determined.