Willie Shines, a former fullback in the Canadian Football League, passed away on May 10th at the age of 79. survived by wife Myrtle Geraldine Shines, sons: Ian Noel Shine and Justin Corey Shines, sister Mary Loyse May, nieces: Shantell Shine, Joanne Jordan, Donna Allen, nephews: William Berry, Michael Bishop and John Bishop, preceded by: Minni-Lee & Eskimo Shine, sister Annie-Nell Settle-Shine, granddaughter Niashia Shine, nephew Brian Berry, Gary Allen and Gorge Allen.
Born 1943 in Pigeon Creek Alabama to Minni-Lee and Eskimo Shine Willie Carvin Shines at the age of 3 migrated with his family from rural Alabama to Niagara Falls New York in search of a new life and opportunity.
A very rambunctious boy, Willie quickly developed a passion for sports and went on to play Football, Basketball and Baseball at Trott Vocational School and won titles such as 1960 All-City football fullback, 1961 All-City first baseman and 1962 All-City Basketball Player of the Year. He went on to be inducted in 2015 into the Niagara Falls Sorts Hall of Fame.
Graduating from Trott, Willie went to the Mid-West to Garden City, Kansas where he started his college football career as a Tight-End for Garden City Community College football team. At a young age Mr. Shines knew the importance of creating a community and while in Garden City Kansas he worked part-time for the local department of education over his first summer. Willie graduated from GCCC and was recruited to attend The University at Buffalo, New York where he was honored to play college football under the direction of James David “Buddy” Ryan. His time at The University at Buffalo was very productive: in 1966 he graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communication and also signed with the Edmonton Eskimos (current day Edmonton Elks) to play within the Canadian Football League. Willie C. Shine went on to play 2 years within the CFL both for the Montreal Beavers and Edmonton Eskimos.
Headed back to the USA with Wife and baby Ian Noel Shine: Willie was ready to take on new challenges and wanted to focus on his community. He was focused on defining and developing what community looked like and with a very entrepreneurial spirit started in 1967 Pinewood Record Store with 4 close friends. The business ran strong and lasted 3 years until a fire closed the record stores doors permanently. Still focused on community he wrote a grant that awarded him the opportunity to develop and open The Friendship House in Niagara Falls, New York a community center based in downtown Niagara Falls that provided afterschool reading, sports and art programs for disadvantage youth.
In 1970 Mr. Shines was recruited first as Branch Manager at M & T Bank in Buffalo NY and within the year was given the opportunity to move to the corporate office as a Recruiting and Human Resource manager. This being his first corporate job Mr. Shines saw a need within his department: the need of representation and inclusion which was the foundation of his success while at “The Bank”. He was loved and respected during his 9 years of working at M & T Bank.
In 1979 came baby Justin Corey Shine. Life was once again evolving, and Willie was adapting to the changing landscape of taking on more professional responsibilities as Director of Human Resource at American Standard (ITT Industries) and being a husband/father of 2 boys.
A constant Life of Service: Willie Shines life’s work started and ended with helping the community. Though he and his wife’s work with the Mentally disabled, faith-based organizations and involvement in both Buffalo and Niagara Falls, small businesses associations and community organizations he was a person known throughout the area.
A beloved Brother, Husband, Friend, Father and Uncle: Mr. Shine will never be forgotten for his sternness, humility, honor and sense of humor.
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