Support for the Family of Shawn Amara
Donation protected
My brother Shawn was born in the early hours of January 2, 1968. I was 13 at the time with two younger brothers, watching helplessly as our dad prepared our mom for an hour’s trip to the hospital, as both she and her unborn son fought for him to come into this world. I remember the blood, the pain, and how scared I was. Shawn came into the world a fighter, and sadly, he left it the same way on June 6, at the young age of 51.
I started this page for Shawn’s family, who needs assistance with funeral expenses and other financial burdens. Shawn, a husband, father of 5 (ages 4, 6, 8, 11 and 21) and grandfather, was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2016, just 3 weeks after being laid off due to company downsizing. Though he sought other employment at that time, the “C word” (cancer) worked against him and eventually, he was unable to work due to extensive surgery and treatments. Shawn’s family has struggled but survived, in large part due to the generosity of so many caring people and his church. He continued his fight against this horrific disease until a few days ago, when his battle came to an end. Any assistance will be applied to funeral home charges and interment costs, as well as outstanding bills. As his oldest brother, I am spearheading this campaign for the family and to take away some of the burden from Shawn’s wife.
Thank you so much for your help and support of our family at this difficult time. For those of you who wish to know more about Shawn, here is an excerpt from his obituary:
Shawn C. Amara, age 51 of Pembroke Pines, Florida passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on June 6, 2019 following a three-year battle with colorectal cancer. Born in Hartford, Connecticut to Achille “Gil” Amara (deceased) and Marie Peterman Amara, Shawn was the youngest of four “well behaved” boys, who grew up in a large Italian family that loved to cook, sing, and attend mass together. They moved to Pembroke Pines in 1970, which became their permanent home.
Although he passed at a young age, Shawn lived a life that transcended his years. He was a self-starter who began his first sales job at age 19, which launched a successful career in sales. Shawn trained hundreds of salespeople and sales leaders throughout his career, ultimately finding his true passion in food service, combining his love of food and cooking with his talent sales. Shawn traveled extensively for work and pleasure, was a talented drummer who studied under Carmine Appice, self-published his first book entitled “The Two Minute Commute – How to Start and Run a Successful Home Business” in 1996, and during a 4-year venture into personal training, had the pleasure of training a number of athletes. It was in the gym where he first met and trained Joni, who would later become his wife.
One of the family’s amusing memories was of Shawn running away from school his first day of kindergarten, and running all the way home with his teacher in tow. As a boy, it was not uncommon for Shawn to be tied up by his brothers while playing cowboys and Indians, or to be held down under the electric garage door. He loved animals, especially his horse Apache, and always had a dog (or two or three).
Shawn’s love of music didn’t stop with the drums. In typical fashion, he honed his skills and became a talented singer, who loved to do karaoke into the wee hours. In 2005, Shawn wrote and recorded a song for Joni, entitled “Words to the Wind,” who he also serenaded with “A Wink and a Smile” at their wedding in 2006.
Shawn loved cooking, eating, traveling, writing, singing, working out, and helping businesses succeed. But what he loved most was being a husband, father, pop-pop, son, uncle and Godfather. Family was everything to him. In a story he began writing in November of 2018 entitled “Screw Cancer”, Shawn said that his father’s strong family-oriented way was part of his core, and that he learned much about determination from his mother. When asked what his children love most about him, “funny”, “tickled”, “cooking”, “played”, “kisses“, “advice and encouragement” and “love” were their answers.
Shawn was a man of faith, which was an important part of his life. He also took every opportunity during his treatment to encourage others, especially men, to listen to their bodies, and not postpone screenings or tests. His highest hope was that at least one person would be saved because of heeding his advice, and at least one person with cancer (especially a child) might be saved because of new treatments or protocols that would be influenced by his case.
Shawn is survived by his loving wife Joni; children Alyssa, Greyson, Gianna, Gavino and Gino; granddaughter Holly; mother Marie and brothers Gil (Manny), Barry (Tracy) and Glenn; and 24 nieces and nephews.
I started this page for Shawn’s family, who needs assistance with funeral expenses and other financial burdens. Shawn, a husband, father of 5 (ages 4, 6, 8, 11 and 21) and grandfather, was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2016, just 3 weeks after being laid off due to company downsizing. Though he sought other employment at that time, the “C word” (cancer) worked against him and eventually, he was unable to work due to extensive surgery and treatments. Shawn’s family has struggled but survived, in large part due to the generosity of so many caring people and his church. He continued his fight against this horrific disease until a few days ago, when his battle came to an end. Any assistance will be applied to funeral home charges and interment costs, as well as outstanding bills. As his oldest brother, I am spearheading this campaign for the family and to take away some of the burden from Shawn’s wife.
Thank you so much for your help and support of our family at this difficult time. For those of you who wish to know more about Shawn, here is an excerpt from his obituary:
Shawn C. Amara, age 51 of Pembroke Pines, Florida passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on June 6, 2019 following a three-year battle with colorectal cancer. Born in Hartford, Connecticut to Achille “Gil” Amara (deceased) and Marie Peterman Amara, Shawn was the youngest of four “well behaved” boys, who grew up in a large Italian family that loved to cook, sing, and attend mass together. They moved to Pembroke Pines in 1970, which became their permanent home.
Although he passed at a young age, Shawn lived a life that transcended his years. He was a self-starter who began his first sales job at age 19, which launched a successful career in sales. Shawn trained hundreds of salespeople and sales leaders throughout his career, ultimately finding his true passion in food service, combining his love of food and cooking with his talent sales. Shawn traveled extensively for work and pleasure, was a talented drummer who studied under Carmine Appice, self-published his first book entitled “The Two Minute Commute – How to Start and Run a Successful Home Business” in 1996, and during a 4-year venture into personal training, had the pleasure of training a number of athletes. It was in the gym where he first met and trained Joni, who would later become his wife.
One of the family’s amusing memories was of Shawn running away from school his first day of kindergarten, and running all the way home with his teacher in tow. As a boy, it was not uncommon for Shawn to be tied up by his brothers while playing cowboys and Indians, or to be held down under the electric garage door. He loved animals, especially his horse Apache, and always had a dog (or two or three).
Shawn’s love of music didn’t stop with the drums. In typical fashion, he honed his skills and became a talented singer, who loved to do karaoke into the wee hours. In 2005, Shawn wrote and recorded a song for Joni, entitled “Words to the Wind,” who he also serenaded with “A Wink and a Smile” at their wedding in 2006.
Shawn loved cooking, eating, traveling, writing, singing, working out, and helping businesses succeed. But what he loved most was being a husband, father, pop-pop, son, uncle and Godfather. Family was everything to him. In a story he began writing in November of 2018 entitled “Screw Cancer”, Shawn said that his father’s strong family-oriented way was part of his core, and that he learned much about determination from his mother. When asked what his children love most about him, “funny”, “tickled”, “cooking”, “played”, “kisses“, “advice and encouragement” and “love” were their answers.
Shawn was a man of faith, which was an important part of his life. He also took every opportunity during his treatment to encourage others, especially men, to listen to their bodies, and not postpone screenings or tests. His highest hope was that at least one person would be saved because of heeding his advice, and at least one person with cancer (especially a child) might be saved because of new treatments or protocols that would be influenced by his case.
Shawn is survived by his loving wife Joni; children Alyssa, Greyson, Gianna, Gavino and Gino; granddaughter Holly; mother Marie and brothers Gil (Manny), Barry (Tracy) and Glenn; and 24 nieces and nephews.
Organizer
Gil Amara
Organizer
Hollywood, FL