Edward Sheakley's Obituary
At 2:45 PM PST on Saturday, December 17, 2011, Edward Sheakley, age 86, died at Heirloom Gardens (Assisted Care/Residential Care/Board and Care facility), 1424 Sanchez Avenue, Burlingame, California from untreated Pericarditis caused by stagnation, a lack of activity, pressure sores, and various strains of e.coli and staph. He was prayed over in the name of Jesus Christ by his sister-in-law, Mary (Perricone) Herman and his second of three sons, John from 4:36 PM to 5:10 PM on Friday, December 16, 2011. His last visitor was his faithful and devoted friend, Dennis (Denni) Beach from 12:40 PM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 17, 2011.On September 23, 2008, able to use a cane, walker, and scooter with pain from arthritis, Edward Sheakley chose to have his left hip replaced at Sequoia Hospital, 170 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Redwood City, California.A few days after successful hip-replacement surgery and while in rehabilitation at Sequoia Hospital, his left femur broke. During a second surgery at Sequoia Hospital to repair his broken femur, he was infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A third surgery at Sequoia Hospital to drain and extensively scrape out the MRSA failed to cure the infection.A fourth surgery at the UCSF Department of Medicine, coordinated with the Division of Infectious Diseases and a nationally renowned arthritis and joint replacement surgeon, Dr. Michael Ries, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, removed all the repair work on his left femur (the pins, wires, screws, and metal plate). Dr. Ries effectively drained and extensively scraped out the MRSA and replaced the left prosthetic hip joint with an anti-biotic spacer. Following surgery, Edward Sheakley required several pints of blood for several days in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU).While in recovery at Lawton Healthcare Center, 1575 – 7th Avenue, San Francisco, California, without attention to the most critical pressure spots for a bed-bound patient, a stage-four pressure sore developed on his left heel. For his fifth surgery, the rotted flesh on his foot was scraped out by a plastic surgeon at St. Mary’s Medical Center, 450 Stanyan Street, San Francisco, California. The surgeon decided not to cut off his foot to prevent gangrene. After about one year, his skin eventually grew over the heel bone and missing flesh.While in recovery from his fifth surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center, he contracted E.Coli from a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line inserted into his neck. He was rushed to ICU. His kidneys had shut down to 10% of normal function.On July 15, 2009, for his sixth surgery, Dr. Ries replaced the anti-biotic spacer with another left prosthetic hip joint.While in recovery at Tunnell Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare, 1359 Pine Street, San Francisco, California, he fell out of an unusual bed without railings and contracted C.Diff toxin. His personal memorabilia was thrown into a dumpster 30 days after discharge back to St. Mary’s Medical Center.On March 15, 2009, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, with Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield for Federal Employees exhausted, Edward Sheakley was faced with the choice of paying for a skilled nursing facility at about $12,000 each month or 24×7 in-home nursing care at $7,652 to $8,996 each month. Edward Sheakley would need to sell their rental property and spend the proceeds before he would enter the Medi-Cal healthcare system.Instead of selling their rental property, Edward and Angela Sheakley asked their 2nd of 3 sons, John Sheakley, a former EMT-1A/Patient Attendant, to provide 24×7 in-home nursing care at $4,500 each month. John facilitated Aid & Attendance Pension at $1,949 each month from the Veteran's Administration in addition to his personal savings to compensate for negative cash flow.Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield for Federal Employees provided an in-home hospital bed, wheelchair, Hoyer lift, medications, and at least two weeks of temporary in-home medical assistance (Nurse, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, and Health Aid). On April 15, 2009, John moved from his home in Half Moon Bay to care for his father in San Mateo.Edward Sheakley was kept clean, active, and flexible by his son John on a daily basis with physical therapy, occupational therapy, wheelchair activities, application of splints, Dixieland jazz, the SF Chronicle, and phone calls, Bible verses, comics, mind exercises, and letters sent from his faithful and devoted sister Julie Clark in Louisville, KY; and frequent phone calls, gifts, food, and fellowship from his close relatives and loyal friends.Bed-bound during most hours, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was easily triggered and eventually developed into a hiatal hernia. For his seventh surgery (laparoscopic surgery), his stomach was pulled down into his abdomen and the opening in his diaphragm was made smaller.With weakened kidneys from the e.coli and staff infections, Edward Sheakley occasionally contracted urinary tract infections, was sent to a hospital for one to two weeks, discharged to a skilled nursing facility for up to four weeks, and then discharged home. On August 17, 2011, he was taken from his home to Sequoia Hospital for another urinary tract infection.Instead of a discharge back home, On September 10, 2011, he was discharged to Heirloom Gardens, Assisted Care/Residential Care/Board and Care facility. After seven weeks, Edward Sheakley developed Pericarditis and was suffering heart damage. On October 28, 2011, Paramedics took him to Emergency at Mills/Peninsula Hospital on 1501 Trousdale Drive, in Burlingame, California.After two weeks at Mills/Peninsula Hospital Edward Sheakley was discharged to Mills/Peninsula Skilled Nursing where he contracted another strain of e.coli.On December 9, 2011, he was discharged from Mills/Peninsula Skilled Nursing back to Heirloom Gardens where he died one week later.Edward Sheakley was born to Mary (Gillette) Sheakley and Dr. Clark Sheakley, DDS, July 16, 1925, in Linesville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Subsequently, two sisters were born, Mary Lou Giles (deceased) and Julie Clark living in Louisville, KY.As a boy with his friends in Linesville; Eddie Davis, Earl Marsh, Plummer Collins, and Bob Collins, he made and sold horseradish and apple cider, and hunted rabbit and small game birds. He and his mother made root beer. He enjoyed summer swimming and winter ice skating on Pymatuning Reservoir and Conneaut Lake and was a star hockey player. He took his younger sisters to the movies at the Regent Theater. His father was the dentist for Linesville.At a movie house spin-the-wheel game, his mother Mary, won $500. She bought train tickets for their family to visit with his Uncle Frank, Aunt Gertrude, and his cousins, Joe, Spencer, David, and Frank Sutherland in California. They also attended the 1939 – San Francisco – Golden Gate International Exposition world's fair.Edward Sheakley graduated from Linesville High School, Conneaut School District, in the summer of 1943.Two days before his 18th birthday, on July 14, 1943, Edward Sheakley enlisted in the US Navy facilitated by R.H. Dombey, LT-CDR., D-V(S) USNR at the US Navy Recruiting Station, Old Post Office Building, East 2nd & Superior Streets, Cleveland, OH. On July 22, 1943, Edward Sheakley re-entered active service.He completed 16 weeks of Signalman service school in Great Lakes, Illinois. He was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost on the 3rd day of November in the year of our Lord 1943 at Great Lakes, Illinois by John F. Hagen, Presbyterian Chaplain USNR. Then he completed 4 weeks of Signalman service school at Camp Bradford, VA.Edward Sheakley served on the USS LST 709 as #15165 Seaman 1c and #15154 Signalman 3c. With his comrades, he earned several medals including the Asiatic-Pacific Area 3-stars, American Area, Philippine Liberation 1 star, Victory Medal World War II, and China Service for repatriation of Japanese soldiers.His honorable separation was facilitated by J.B. Warner, Lt. Comdr. USNR on April, 26, 1946 at PSC NB TI, San Pedro, Calif. He enjoyed the San Francisco bay area again and visited with the Sutherlands again before he returned to his home in Linesville, PA with a preference for pre-dental college.Graduate 1950, Bachelor's of Science, Civil EngineeringDavis & Elkins College100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241During a college summer break he helped to pipe sand from Canada to the beach at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie, PA. During another college summer break, he and his friend traveled to New Mexico to construct forms for concrete foundations in Los Alamos.1949, met Angela Perricone when her older brother's car broke down on the side of the road. She was riding with her older brother, Anthony Perricone, to Coney Island from St. Louis, MO. Edward asked her to go to, and Anthony chaperoned her to, a post-war Elk's Club dance in New York.He was hired as an Engineer for Babcock & Wilcox, Ohio were his mother's father Gillette served as an executive.He was then hired as an Engineer for the US Coast Guard Station Niagara, New York. Work included service of the lighthouse.On August 31, 1952, he married Angela Perricone at her Roman Catholic Church with a very large Sicilian wedding reception in St. Louis, MO.1954, Transferred to San Francisco, CA.· Resident engineer for the construction of the suspension foot bridge to the Point Bonita Lighthouse.· Serviced Mile Rock Lighthouse1956, Hired as an engineer for the US Army Corp of Civil Engineers.1960, they both made their commitments to Jesus Christ at Mt. Hermon near Santa Cruz, CA at a family conference presented by Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse. Began attending Peninsula Bible Church, 3505 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA with sermons by Pastor Ray Stedman. Transferred to Peninsula Covenant Church, 3560 Farm Hill Blvd. Redwood City, CA with sermons by Pastor Small.At home on the steep hill in the backyard, he constructed retaining walls, trellises, and stairs from railroad ties to prevent landslides. He planted an indoor rooted Christmas pine tree next to the driveway that now covers the roofs of two houses and over the street. He constructed exposed aggregate patios at both homes for parties and recreation. He had his children put their names and handprints in the concrete. He periodically marked their growing heights on the door frame in the kitchen. He collected fallen tree logs and taught his sons to dry and chop the logs with an axe and a sledge hammer with steel wedges.With his loving wife, he raised his three boys in Belmont California (on the San Francisco peninsula). He encouraged his Aunt Gertrude Sutherland from Santa Cruz to teach them Bible stories and Christian principles. In the summer, almost every Sunday after church, he drove his family and relatives to Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay for recreation on the beach and in the waves.He took his family on summer vacations to their cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents, by train or car across the country to St. Louis, MO and to Linesville, PA. Several car camping vacations were to major National Parks and a salmon fishing vacation by car to Banff, Canada. He frequently took his family car camping in Yosemite for day hikes, campfire nature talks, and to watch the firefalls from Glacier Point. He taught them to fish in Pescadero Creek. He provided his family with a lot of summer vacation slide shows and had fun showing them how to use the light from the slide projector to make hand shadow animals on the screen.As an adult leader in the YMCA, Indian Guides, and the Boy Scouts of America, he taught his boys to enjoy, appreciate, and have respect for the outdoors. He frequently took his boys duck, goose, and pheasant hunting throughout the Sacramento Valley; Delevan, Gray Lodge, Colusa, Modoc, Tule Lake... He bought his boys everything they needed; tricycles, bicycles, a Lionel electric train set, a couple of slot car racing sets, hiking boots, backpacks, camping and mountaineering gear, fishing gear, shotguns, bow and arrows, hunting and fishing licenses, hunting dogs, wader boots, duck decoys, binoculars, telescopes.He popped pop corn in the frying pan to take to the drive-in theatre in Burlingame. All three sons watched cartoons from the back of the station wagon and fell asleep during the movie. He carried them asleep up the long flight of stairs to the front door at home.For several seasons, he taught his boys to plant, feed, and water a bountiful backyard vegetable garden. He and his Sicilian father-in-law planted several different species of fruit trees; fig, apricot, peach, lemon, and orange and a vast array of productive blackberry bushes throughout his property in Belmont. His wife won 1st place awards at the San Mateo County Fair for apricot pie and lemon meringue pie. His son John won 1st place at the pie eating contest and his son Anthony won 1st place at the banana eating contest.For several winters and a couple of summers, he took his family to his wife's Keith Cole Photography log cabin in Graeagle, California with the Olsons and Downs families; snowmobiles, fishing, rock fireplace, juke box, bumper pool table, piano, homemade food.He and his wife hosted dance parties at home and picnics with games at Memorial Park near Woodside, CA on a regular basis for coworkers, friends, and relatives on holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries.He fostered an only-child and best friend of his son John, Mike Miller, after both of his parents died within a month. He provided and taught everything to Mike just as he did with his own sons.After moving his family to a waterfront townhouse on Mariner's Island in San Mateo, he bought a speed boat and water skiis, towed his sons and sons' friends, let them use it, and facilitated his son's high school post-sports-competition parties at the homeowners' pool. He planted a small redwood tree from the San Mateo County Fair garden exhibition with his son Anthony. The tree is now a City of San Mateo Heritage Tree.His favorite music was Big Band, romantic melodies in the '60s, and Dixieland jazz. His favorite TV show was 60-Minutes and Insight for Living sermons by Chuck Swindoll.He was mostly in political agreement with editorials in the San Francisco Chronicle and enjoyed reading the Herb Caen columns. His favorite comic strips were Doonesbury by G.B. Trudeau and The Farside by Gary Larson.Known for his humorous or very meaningful witty replies. He was randomly interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle 'Question Man,' Novella O’Hara, in the streets of San Francisco, 'What are you thankful for?' He replied, 'My beautiful Sicilian wife.'We remember him consistently watching news on TV when he came home from work; the funeral and investigation of the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the landing on the moon... He faithfully went to work early every morning from the CalTrain station in Belmont to the terminal in San Francisco and then walked rain or shine to the US Army Corp of Engineers at 630 Sansome Street. When he arrived at the train station back in Belmont, he gave our home phone two rings with a returned 10¢ phone call from the pay phone at which time, his wife or son would then pick him up.He taught his boys discipline and profit in the management and maintenance of his rental properties.He loved to experience the ocean, lighthouses, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. With dramatic oil colors and textures on canvas he captured the raw energy of the ocean waves crashing on coastal rocks and stormy sea clouds in the distance.He retired from civil service at the age of 55. He towed a 24' recreation trailer together with his loyal wife across the country visiting National Parks, friends, and relatives. He traveled and slept in a mini van with his loyal wife to Alaska. They enjoyed ocean cruises to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, South America, Antarctica, and Europe. Just before he was disabled by complications from hip surgery, he generously paid for a 14-day Alaska Inland Passage cruise with his family.He loved to meet new people. He was discerning of character and integrity. He knew how to make new friends. He liked to listen to people and humor them. He won their trust and set them at ease. In retirement, he wallpapered and would have done it for free just to meet people.With his wife and with his long-time faithful and close friend, Charlie Sweeny and his wife, he very enthusiastically attended several gun shows and Dixieland jazz festivals in Sacramento, Eureka, St. Louis, and New Orleans.He and his wife were members of a long-time group of best friends facilitated by monthly gourmet club dinners and just plain getting together for good times and caring for eachother; Dennis R. Beach & Joy Thomas, Charlie & Barbara Sweeny, Joyce Barron & Tony A. Leopardo, Ed & Kathie Boissier, John & Fran Harrison, Ann & Andy Andrea, and Richard & Agnes Duarte.He is survived by his wife Angela (84); son Clark (58), daughter-in-law Naamkarhang (42), grandson Luke (8), daughter-in-law Diane (55) and grandson Edward (23); son John (55); fostered son Mike Miller (55); and son Anthony (53), daughter-in-law Denise (55).Reception and Memorial Service at Skylawn Memorial ParkSaturday, January 7, 2012· 10:00 AM to 4:00 PMReception in the Skylawn Memorial Park Vista Room before and after the Memorial Service. There will be food, things to drink, memorabilia, and a slide show with his favorite music.· 1:00 PMMemorial Service in the Skylawn Memorial Park Chapel lead by Pastor David Smith from Church of the Highlands in San Bruno. You will be provided time to share your thoughts and your memories of Edward. The Memorial will be followed by Military Honors and the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Honor Guard salute with weapons discharge.Funeral home in charge of arrangements:· Zac Blotter, 650-376-5013, [email protected]· Meghan Nakamura, 650-376-5072, [email protected] Center at Skylawn Memorial ParkCalifornia 92 & Skyline Boulevard (Lifemark Road)San Mateo, CA 94402650-349-4411 (switchboard)888.454.1741 (toll free)650.288.0566 (24 hours)[email protected]://Skylawn.Comhttp://WWW.LifemarkGroup.ComThere will be another Memorial Service and Reception at his place of birth and childhood, in Linesville, PA at a date and time that is yet to be determined. Cremains will be buried next to his sister Mary Lou in Linesville, PA.To obtain more information, contact:Angela Sheakley and John Sheakley1951 O'Farrell Street, Unit 116San Mateo, CA 94403-7303650-345-9909 (home)650-218-5135 (PCS, John)650-315-5301 (PCS, Angela)Edward Sheakley made contributions to the following organizations:Disabled American VeteransP.O. Box 14301Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301Liberty University1951 University BoulevardLynchburg, VA 24502National Pro-Life Alliance4521 Windsor Arms CourtAnnandale, VA 22003American Bible Society1865 BroadwayNew York, NY 10023Doctors Without Borders333 Seventh Avenue, 2nd FloorNew York, NY 10001The Nature Conservancy4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100Arlington, VA 22203Sierra Club85 Second Street, Second FloorSan Francisco, CA 94105-3441American Family AssociationP.O. Drawer 2440Tupelo, MS 38801Audubon California4225 Hollis StreetEmeryville, CA 94608Davis & Elkins College100 Campus DriveElkins, WV 26241Focus on the FamilyColorado Springs, CO 80995Samaritan's PurseFranklin Graham, PresidentP.O. Box 3000Boone, NC 28607-3000World Vision34834 Weyerhaeuser Way SouthP.O. Box 9716Federal Way, WA 98063-9716SOS MinistriesP.O. Box 25358Oakland, CA 94602American Center for Law and JusticePO Box 92008Washington, D.C. 20090-2008Democratic National Committee430 South Capitol Street SEWashington, D.C. 20003Lucile Packard Children's Fund400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 340Palo Alto, CA 94301Edward Sheakley was a member of the following organizations:54 years, Member # 14750Last Location: San Mateo Elks Lodge #1112The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks2750 North Lakeview AvenueChicago, IL 60614-1889June 10, 1968 – June 1, 1970Planning Commissioner, City of Belmont, CAAdult Leader providing a compass for life in Belmont, CA:· YMCA Indian Guides, Princess, Braves, and Maidens· Troop 377, Boy Scouts of America· Order of the Arrow; national honor society of the Boy Scouts of AmericaAmerican Association of Retired Persons (AARP)601 E Street, NWWashington DC 20049Thank you to our friends and relatives for prayers, letters, emotional support, practical solutions, meals, home repairs & cleaning, and transportation during our exceptional time of need.Julie J. Clark, Louisville, KY (sister)David Giles, Londonderry, NH (nephew)Frances Perricone, Sun City, AZ (sister-in-law)Mary (Perricone) Herman, St. Peters, MO (sister-in-law)Frank Perricone, Sun City, AZ (brother-in-law)Spencer T Sutherland, El Cajon, CA (cousin)Ron and Susan Sutherland, Kailua, HI (cousin)Frank & Vicki Sutherland, Santa Cruz, CA (cousin)Drick & Jill Jan, El Cajon, CA (cousin)Rich & Annalee Maldonado, San Francisco, CA (cousin)Jack & Carmen McSweeney, Menlo Park, CA (cousin)Rosali Paich, Oakland, CA (cousin)Carmella Servida, South San Francisco, CAKenneth E. & Corrine C. Love, Belmont, CADennis R. Beach & Joy Thomas, Foster City, CACharlie and Barbara Sweeny, San Mateo, CADave and Sheryl Strack, Foster City, CAMatthew Ballister, San Francisco, CAVanessa Grellas, Half Moon Bay, CADonna Iverson, Half Moon Bay, CADeDe Long, Burlingame, CADr. Paul Hall, DDS, Daly City, CAPlumer & Dorothy Collins, Warren, PACentral Peninsula Church, Mercy Ministry, Foster City, CA· Jacob Habache· Yousef· Carol GilbertLily Abalich, Central Peninsula Church, Women's Bible Study, Foster City, CAPastor David Smith, Church of the Highlands, San Bruno, CAPastor Craig Forbes, Mariner's Community Church, Half Moon Bay, CAThank you to the following professionals and organizations for providing finances, equipment, supplies, food, and services to Edward Sheakley and our family:· Dr. Jolly Philip & Crystal, Medical Assistant, Sequoia Medical Group, Belmont· Dr. Shalini Patel, Department of Veteran's Affairs, San Bruno VA Clinic· Dr. Michael Ries, Vice Chair, Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UCSF· Dr. Albert Wetter, Peninsula Surgical Specialists Medical Group, Inc., Burlingame· Dr. Scott Levenson, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, San Carlos· Dr. James Torosis, PGI Peninsula Gastroenterology Medical Group, Redwood City· Dr. Lefkos Aftonomos, Physiatrist, San Mateo· Dr. Curtis Leviant, D.P.M., Associated Podiatry Group of San Carlos· Dr. Dieter Bruno, Peninsula Urology Center, Inc., Atherton· Dr. Daniel Clevenger, DDS, San Mateo· Dr. Dick Gregory, DDS, San Mateo· Dr. Richard Weiss, Clinical Psychologist, Burlingame· Dr. Leslie Hall, Neuropsychologist, Pleasanton· Karri Kaiser, MSW, Mission Hospice, San Mateo· Gary Pasternak, MD, MPH, Mission Hospice, San Mateo· Joseph Gervais, BA, MPH, NASM-PES, DynaSplint Systems, Inc., San Mateo· Daniel Alemayehu, Costco Hearing Center, Redwood City· Mark, The Stegner Registry, Redwood City· Medicare· Blue Cross/Blue Shield for Federal Employees· Federal Employees Retirement System· Veteran's Administration· Jamie Cabrera, Veteran's Advocate, Heritage Financial North, Burlingame· Social Security Administration· County of San Mateo Meals on Wheels· County of San Mateo Human Services· County of San Mateo Redi-Wheels· Michael Heath, Attorney at Law, San Francisco· Margaret Martin, Attorney at Law, San Mateo· Claudia P. Johnson, Fiduciary, San Mateo· Glen Teixeira, Detective, San Mateo Police Department· Suzzanne Staples, Court Investigator, Superior Court of CA, County of San Mateo· The Honorable Jackie Speier, US Representative, 12th District of Californiao Mark.Nagales (Veteran's Administration)o Shauna.France (HAMP)· St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room, Menlo Park· Christian Action Life Line (CALL Primrose Center)139 Primrose RoadBurlingame, CA 94010650-342-CALL (2255)· Bob Huie Medical Supplies, Daly City (Adult Diapers)· Jimmy, Admiral Medical Supply, Millbrae· California Home Medical Equipment, Foster City (Hospital bed and mattress)· Bay Wide Medical Supplies, Pacifica (Wheelchair)· St. Francis Pavilion, Rehabilitation, Daly City· Sequoia Hospital Infusion/Wound Center, Redwood City· The Golden Chordsmen, Barbershop Chorus/Quartets, Burlingame· Mike Slaughter, Palm Avenue Motors, San MateoEdward Sheakley chose to memorize the following scripture while he was in grade school:Psalm 23'The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.'He had Psalm 23 framed on a wall at home.Edward Sheakley strived to be our provider, to be trustworthy, and to be faithful.
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