Stephen "Sonny" Shalamanda Jr.

Remembering Sonny Memorial Video

Stephen "Sonny" Shalamanda Jr. , 88, of Ashland, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, November 11th.

Born in Connerton, he was a son of the late Steve Shalamanda Sr. and Mary (Felegi) Shalamanda.

Sonny owned and operated DRZ Coal for 12 years before working as a heavy equipment operator for Empire Wrecking until his retirement. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542 and a member of the Ashland Gun Club.

Sonny had a lifelong passion for raising and training pigeons. He loved traveling and looked forward to vacations, especially during his retirement years. Known for his remarkable ability to fix just about anything, Sonny was a true handyman whose resourcefulness and skill were admired by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Joan A. (Drosey) Shalamanda in 2014; his brother, Anthony Shalamanda and his son-in-law, Larry E. Brindle.

Sonny is survived by his daughter Joanne Brindle of Pine Grove and her children Grant (Jackie) Brindle, Jamie (Abe) Hitz, Kevin (Jennifer) Brindle and great-grandchildren Ava, Ella, Luke, Olivia, Cole Brindle and Carter, Rylinn Hitz; his daughter: Chris Rineer and her husband Jim of Mechanicsburg and their son Adam Rineer and his husband Jason Aguirre; his daughter, Diane Abbanato and her husband Ken of Mount Carmel and their daughter Kendra Abbanato; his daughter Patti Cataldo and her husband John of Pine Grove and their children, Evan Cataldo, Nick (Claudia) Cataldo and John (Stacey) Cataldo and great-grandchildren Cade, Palmer and John Shepherd; his son Stephen J. Shalamanda Sr. and his wife Rita (Sabol) of Ashland and their son, Dr. Stephen J. Shalamanda Jr. and his fiancé Abigayle; his brother: Joseph Shalamanda along with several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 11 a.m. from the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 403 W. Main Street, Girardville with Fr. Guency Isaac officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

Sign the guest book, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, is in charge of arrangements.