Michael Shambora III

Michael Shambora III, born Aug. 12, 1978, in the CMC Hospital, Scranton, passed away Oct. 13, 2006, at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, after transfer from Hershey Medical Center.
He is survived by his mother, Deborah (Woehr) Shambora, Lehman, and his father, the Rev. Dr. Michael Shambora Jr., Duryea; a sister, Doris Dawn Shambora, Virginia; his grandmother Alma Betty Shambora, Mountain Top; and grandmother Doris Woehr, Dallas; and an aunt, Kathy Gregory, Lehman.
Michael served as a volunteer at Wesley Village, served as Chaplain of the Wyoming United Methodist Men’s Group and was an eager helper and master “dish washer” for his mother, and the apple of his father’s eye.
Everyone that ever met Michael, even once, was captivated by his quick wit and keen desire to please. In short, Michael seemed like the Prime Minister of joy. Though not articulate in the elements of religion, his Christian walk was simple yet superb. Assuredly, Michael knew what he wanted, and what he wanted more than anything was to make people happy.
He not only wanted it, he demanded it and persisted until laughter occurred. Like Peter Pan, who never grew up, Michael never grew out of this innocent yearning.
And even after many surgeries, lengthy hospitalizations, and dour forecasts by physicians as to his survival, there was never a complaint on his lips, never. Michael never played the “why me?” game.
He loathed being dependent and never solicited pity. Instead, he pulsated life and made every day God gave him into a blessed holy sacrament.
And it didn’t take much to make him glad. Singing “Little Arrows Everywhere!” or quoting a twist to “Mary’s Little Lamb!” or watching Mrs. Doubtfire, or playing with his Star Wars collection, or watching the Yankees, or eating toast and drinking tea in Mountain Top, raking leaves at Aunt Kathy’s or going to the mall with his sister, or counting and recounting his stack of one dollar bills (he loved $2s), was enough to make his day.
And he prayed too. My, how ye prayed and prayed, even when the pizza or soup was getting cold, he’d still mouth his two-minute table blessing.
Anyone who ever said “Goodbye” to Michael would watch him stand tall, pick up his head (so marred with scars and disease) to respond, “You have a good day, now!” and the hearer knew he meant every word.
Understandably, Michael’s parents, though aware of his long-standing plight, remain overwhelmed with grief and though trusting God, are recoiling in horror at his passing in death.
They cherished him more than words can describe. The implications of Michael’s life transcend the grave in which he will lay.
He is proof positive that, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong!” (Ecc. 9:11)
Michael’s favorite joke was, “What did the hot-dog say after it crossed the finish line?” Pause. “I’m a wiener! I’m a wiener!”
We can still hear him saying it, still trying to tease out an innocent chuckle amidst a sophisticated world so tough and jaded.
And, so, coincident with that joke, Michael was a blue-ribbon winner in every sense.
The Bible’s shortest verse is “Jesus wept.” So those who read this shouldn’t scandalize when his friends, relatives and parents suggest that when Michael died Jesus wept once again, real hard, and most profoundly over his guileless young follower.
A memorial service in his memory is slated for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, at noon in the Wyoming United Methodist, with the Rev. Greg Myers and the Rev. Michael Shambora officiating. Interment will be held in the Lehman Cemetery.
Memorial cards may be mailed to: C/O Michael Shambora III, 935 Foote Ave., Duryea, PA 18642. Arrangements are by Howell-Lussi Funeral Home, 509 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston.
Friends may call at the Wyoming United Methodist Church, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, from 11 a.m. until service time at noon.