Respected Leader in Heating Fuels Industry Passes
Shane Sweet, a respected leader, educator, and advocate for the propane, petroleum, and heating fuels industry, passed away on July 16, 2026, in Raceland, Louisiana, at the age of 66.
Born on March 2, 1960, in Granville, New York, Shane graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology before beginning a career in the energy industry in 1982 with a family-owned fuel company in Vermont. There he gained hands-on experience in every aspect of the business, including heating oil, propane, diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, and equipment. Over the next four decades, he became one of the industry’s most respected voices, known for his expertise in regulatory compliance, propane and natural gas jurisdictional systems, and employee training. His work helped companies operate more safely, effectively, and confidently.
Shane served as a General Manager, Division Manager, and Operations Manager for retail fuel companies before moving into association leadership. He was Executive Director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association for nearly fifteen years, Chief Executive Officer of the New England Fuel Institute, and Executive Director and Technical Director of the New York Propane Gas Association. In 2019, he launched his consulting practice, later co-founding the Propane Advisory Group and PropaneAndOilTraining.com with his friend and colleague Mike DiGiorgio. Together they delivered live, interactive training programs for propane and heating fuel professionals throughout North America. Shane also shared his knowledge as a longtime columnist for Fuel Oil News and contributor to Propane Canada magazine.
More than any title he held, however, Shane measured success by the people he helped.
Within the propane and heating fuels industry, it often seemed that everyone knew Shane, and Shane knew everyone. He had an extraordinary gift for building relationships, connecting colleagues, mentoring newcomers, and creating opportunities for others. He believed the industry was strongest when people worked together, shared knowledge freely, and learned from one another.
Education and safety were at the heart of everything Shane did. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped create the Virtual Propane Expo, bringing together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals through online education when in-person events were impossible. Working alongside Mike DiGiorgio and other industry leaders, he helped develop educational programming and recruit nationally recognized speakers. He also founded the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Oil & Propane Safety Compliance Working Group, fostering cooperation among industry leaders to improve safety and regulatory compliance.
A passionate believer in the value of trade associations, Shane dedicated his career to strengthening the industry through collaboration, education, and professionalism. Friends and colleagues will remember him not only for his knowledge and leadership, but for his kindness, generosity, quick wit, and ability to make everyone feel welcome. Few people cultivated relationships as naturally as Shane, and his willingness to help others left a lasting impression on countless lives.
Shane was predeceased by his first wife, Maryanne, and is survived by his wife, Jill.
His legacy lives on in the thousands of professionals he educated, the friendships he fostered, the safety initiatives he championed, and the stronger, more connected industry he helped build. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers or a formal memorial service, those wishing to honor Shane’s memory are encouraged to make a donation to their local Humane Society or to the Humane Society of their choice. Shane’s compassion extended beyond the people he served throughout his career, and a gift in his memory would be a fitting tribute to a life devoted to helping others.
