Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
GEORGE SHAMES Obituary
On Sunday, March 1, 2015. Beloved husband of Joan "Josie" (Kramer) Shames; cherished father of Hilary Julia Shames and Matthew Eric Shames (Jennifer McGarrity); brother-in-law of Ann (late Lloyd) Kramer, the late Barbara (late Jack) Shore, the late Vida (late Nicholas) Demas; grandfather of Lisa and Heidi Langhorst and Ella and Jackson Shames; uncle of Erika (Barry) Wofsy, Deborah Shore (Andy Henson), Dr. David Shore (Karen Catoe), Benita "Bonnie" (Joseph) Dombrowski, Rebecca Demas, Geoffrey Kramer and Benjamin Kramer. George was a WWII veteran serving in the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor. He was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh having earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees and also was a letterman in baseball. Upon graduating, George became a professor of Communication Disorders and Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, in which position he served for 40 years. He wrote and edited numerous textbooks in the area of speech pathology. He received numerous awards and honors, including being named as a Fellow of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and in 2006 received ASHA's highest recognition with the Honors of the Association award for lifetime achievement. He lectured all over the world in his special interest in stuttering. He developed an innovative therapy toward treatment of stuttering disorders. After his retirement, George wrote mystery novels including "The Company of Truth" which was published in 2005. He was also elected to the Western PA Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. George enjoyed traveling, a good cigar and watching sports on TV. Services at RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Visitation one hour prior to services (10 - 11 a.m.). Interment Homewood Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Alzheimer Disease Research Center, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
www.schugar.com
Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donna Hagerty
May 31, 2019
The innovative work which Dr. Shames provided via his Stutter Free Speech approach was a life saver for me! I will always be eternally grateful for this program which freed me up to finally speak as a normal speaker. The ongoing benefits have been tremendous in my life and I cannot express my gratitude enough.
March 28, 2016
In the 1960s was a grateful patient of Dr. Shames. I wrote a poem about my stuttering and used his name with thanks. I am very sorry to hear of his passing and send my sincere sympathies to his family. May his memory console you.
M.A.Sinnhuber
Jacqueline Gindler
June 11, 2015
Dear Joan, Matt, and Hilary,
I am so sorry to learn of our dear cousin George's passing. His mother Hilda and my grandmother were sisters, and he was a first cousin to my mother, Lorraine (z"l). I was always so proud of being related to him, and remember viting him on the Pitt campus when I was in medical school. Please accept my most sincere condolences on your loss.
Clara & Matt Jacob
March 9, 2015
Joan ~~ Matt & I, along with Dawn & Fred, went to Schenley Gardens last week to do Pet Therapy & learned the sad news about George. I want you to know that even before we started distributing dogs & cats to everyone to pet, the Rabbi had us all sit down to have a short memorial service for George. He read the most beautiful prayer & it reduced a couple of us to tears. We'll miss George terribly, but we still hope you might stop into Schenley Gardens on a Friday night when we're there to visit with us. We're so sorry for your loss, Joan. Rest in peace, dear George. God bless you.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
March 4, 2015
My deepest sympathy......Arnie Reichbaum. President, Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Kathleen Helfrich-Miller
March 3, 2015
My sympathy to all of your family. George was a mentor to me throughout my graduate studies at Pitt. I still hear his voice as I counsel families in my practice. He taught me to listen and reflect above all else. His legacy will live on in the many students he taught at the university.
March 3, 2015
Dear Josie, Matt and Hilary...I am saddened immeasurably by George's passing, but mostly by what I know is your own deep sense of loss. You are all so much of my family that I feel this in a very personal way. The Shames family has been in my life for many many years...George was my teacher, my sometimes confidant, and my counselor on occasion. (I actually think I learned how to counsel by being counseled by him!). He once told me that all he truly wanted from life was to be mourned by his family, especially Joan, at his funeral. I am joining you there at least in my thoughts and prayers. Love....Audrey
Lois M Sherry
March 3, 2015
Somewhere down the line in my family history, we were related. My deepest sympathy as I knew him when living in Pittsburgh. Rest in peace, my friend; you will be sorely missed.
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
5509 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Make a Donation
in GEORGE SHAMES's name
How to support GEORGE's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor GEORGE SHAMES's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
