1925
Victor
2015
Victor Shorten
December 16, 1925 — April 26, 2015
Victor Thomas Shorten, 89, of St. Matthews, South Carolina died April 26, 2015, in Knoxville, Maryland at the home of his son, David Shorten, and family.
Victor was born on December 16, 1925 in Andover, Massachusetts. Victor was the son of the late Charles John Shorten and Mary O’Connor Shorten. One of eight children, he was pre-deceased by siblings Charles John Shorten, Jr., Elizabeth Parker, Alice Tommasino, Mae Asmega, Lillian Ann Shorten, Doris Coco, and Irene Mazzaglia. Victor was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marie Gallant Shorten. He was also predeceased by one grandson, Daniel Michael Shorten.
Victor’s expertise in the field of communications secured for him a life-long and honor-filled career. He first began in the U.S. Army in 1944, in the capacity of radio repairman under the Signal Corps division in WWII. This was followed by multiple promotions. He was the recipient of several Bronze Stars for Heroism, The Distinguished Service Medal, multiple Good Conduct awards, and honors and recognitions for his role in various military theaters and campaigns worldwide. His service spanned WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, and Vietnam War. He served not only in the United States, but in many European and Asian nations as well. For the later part of his military service, he was stationed at Camp David in Maryland as active-duty Chief of Communications. There he received the Joint Service Commendation for his role in the White House Communications Agency. Victor retired from the military at the rank of Sargent Major in 1968. From there, Victor moved to the Department of the Treasury, followed by assignment with the Secret Service in service to the President. In total, Victor served seven presidents during his lifetime; from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, through Jimmy Carter. Victor retired from his service to the White House in 1980 and moved his home to Saint Matthews, South Carolina. There he traveled with his wife, Marie; attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in nearby Orangeburg; served as Vice President to his Ham Radio Club, “Ears” (Edisto Amateur Radio Society); and was a well loved and respected member of the community.
Victor is survived by his six children: sons Charles Victor Shorten and his spouse, Patricia; David Michael Shorten and his spouse, Leigh Ann; and Mark Stephen Shorten and his spouse, Frances. He is survived also by three daughters, Arlene Shorten-Goodrich and spouse Christopher Goodrich; May Shorten-Townley and spouse Mark Layne Townley; and Lisa Shorten-Snyder and spouse Lawrence Snyder. Victor is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Those desiring may gather with the family beginning at 1 p.m. at the Dukes-Harley Funeral Home, 339 Columbia Rd., S.E., in Orangeburg.
Services in Maryland will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick with the family receiving friends from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.
Victor was born on December 16, 1925 in Andover, Massachusetts. Victor was the son of the late Charles John Shorten and Mary O’Connor Shorten. One of eight children, he was pre-deceased by siblings Charles John Shorten, Jr., Elizabeth Parker, Alice Tommasino, Mae Asmega, Lillian Ann Shorten, Doris Coco, and Irene Mazzaglia. Victor was pre-deceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marie Gallant Shorten. He was also predeceased by one grandson, Daniel Michael Shorten.
Victor’s expertise in the field of communications secured for him a life-long and honor-filled career. He first began in the U.S. Army in 1944, in the capacity of radio repairman under the Signal Corps division in WWII. This was followed by multiple promotions. He was the recipient of several Bronze Stars for Heroism, The Distinguished Service Medal, multiple Good Conduct awards, and honors and recognitions for his role in various military theaters and campaigns worldwide. His service spanned WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs, and Vietnam War. He served not only in the United States, but in many European and Asian nations as well. For the later part of his military service, he was stationed at Camp David in Maryland as active-duty Chief of Communications. There he received the Joint Service Commendation for his role in the White House Communications Agency. Victor retired from the military at the rank of Sargent Major in 1968. From there, Victor moved to the Department of the Treasury, followed by assignment with the Secret Service in service to the President. In total, Victor served seven presidents during his lifetime; from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, through Jimmy Carter. Victor retired from his service to the White House in 1980 and moved his home to Saint Matthews, South Carolina. There he traveled with his wife, Marie; attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in nearby Orangeburg; served as Vice President to his Ham Radio Club, “Ears” (Edisto Amateur Radio Society); and was a well loved and respected member of the community.
Victor is survived by his six children: sons Charles Victor Shorten and his spouse, Patricia; David Michael Shorten and his spouse, Leigh Ann; and Mark Stephen Shorten and his spouse, Frances. He is survived also by three daughters, Arlene Shorten-Goodrich and spouse Christopher Goodrich; May Shorten-Townley and spouse Mark Layne Townley; and Lisa Shorten-Snyder and spouse Lawrence Snyder. Victor is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2015 at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Those desiring may gather with the family beginning at 1 p.m. at the Dukes-Harley Funeral Home, 339 Columbia Rd., S.E., in Orangeburg.
Services in Maryland will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick with the family receiving friends from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.staufferfuneralhome.com.
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