Obituary - Harry Shaia

Born August 29, 1930, went to be with Our Lord February 7, 2023. He was 92 years old. He lived a life of love, devotion, and faith: love for his family and friends; devotion to his family and church; and faith in God, the promise of the Resurrection and Eternal Life. Harry passed from this earth surrounded by his family in prayer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zackia and Harry Shaia Sr., his wife, Margaret Gibrall Shaia; his son, Christopher Joseph Shaia; and his three brothers, William, Edward, and Richard. He is survived by his children and their families, Anthony Joseph and Mary G. Shaia, Anne-Marie and Andrew M. Condlin, and Harry Joseph Sr. (Chip) and Melissa B. Shaia, all of Richmond; Gregory Joseph and Jennifer W. Shaia of Alexandria, Virginia; and John Joseph and Gada H. Shaia of Chappaqua, New York. He was blessed with 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He graduated from John Marshall High School, attended the University of Virginia, and graduated from the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law in 1953. Harry served in the U.S. Army. He married Margaret on his birthday in 1959. He was the longest serving bankruptcy trustee in court history, working until his death. Harry was a lifelong member of St. Anthonys’ Maronite Catholic Church. He lived his faith daily in all that he did. He stressed the importance of that faith to his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. He and Margaret had a devotion to the Divine Mercy and prayed the Chaplet daily. He loved meeting people, and for years he would find a stranger each day, introduce himself, and offer to pray for that person’s special intentions at Mass the following day and in private prayer. He prayed for thousands of strangers over the years, and many offered to pray for him as well. He had a lifelong passion for the card game Whist. He gathered regularly for a game with his card group and shared many a Wednesday evening dinner with them. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Society of St. Francis de Sales, the Nocturnal Adoration Society, the St. Thomas More Society, the Order of St. Sharbel, and the National Apostolate of Maronites. He and Margaret facilitated the establishment of the Adoration Chapel at Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey in Goochland, Virginia. He often cited the best deal on earth: Follow Jesus and attain eternal salvation. “What a deal! Follow Christ’s teaching here on earth and spend eternity in heaven.” He’s now reaping the rewards for his life of faith and devotion. His remains rest at Bliley’s - Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Avenue, where the family will receive friends Saturday, February 11, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., and on Sunday, February 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., and where a Christian Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church, 4611 Sadler Road, Glen Allen, with interment to follow at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harry and Margaret Saint Anthony Scholarship Fund, 4611 Sadler Road, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-610.