Shaun Ryan Thomas, Sr.

Shaun Ryan Thomas, Sr., 39, a Burlington City native, gained his wings on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  Shaun was born on September 6, 1982 to Darrell and Mary (Stecker) Thomas, Sr. Shaun was born with Truncus Arteriosus, a rare congenital heart defect, and had previously survived several heart procedures, including major open-heart surgeries. He never stopped fighting and his life was truly a miracle. Shaun always put on a brave face and never complained about the hand he was dealt. He gave it his all with his huge heart to always remind us to do the same. He lived a dynamic life despite his heart and was able to experience many amazing things like living in California to work on a movie set as a prop master, a wedding at the top of the Duquesne Incline in his most favorite place, Pittsburgh, watching his two sons enter the world, a trip to Hawaii, several Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, and attending Super Bowl XLIII.  Shaun enjoyed traveling, concerts, history, especially the Civil War, bowling, playing games with his family, and watching movies. Shaun loved museums and held memberships to several area museums where he would spend time with his family and sons. He was an animal lover and would frequent the Philadelphia, Cape May, and Pittsburgh Zoos, even in the snow. He had a lifelong fascination with dinosaurs which will live on through his sons.  Shaun grew up in Burlington City and graduated from the Burlington County Institute of Technology in 2000 with high honors. He continued his education at Burlington County College where he made the Dean’s List. After earning his associates degree, he went on to New York Film Academy in Manhattan. Shaun was a General Manager at The Peacock Inn located in Princeton, New Jersey. When Shaun wasn’t working, he loved spending time with his two sons and watching Pittsburgh sports teams. Shaun will always be remembered by his tremendously hysterical stories and his kindness to the world.  He is survived by his parents, Darrell and Mary (Stecker) Thomas, Sr. of Marlton, NJ, his two sons, Shaun, Jr. (mother Rochelle Thomas) and Aspyn John (mother Shalana Dobler), his older siblings, Darrell (Dani) Thomas, Jr. of Turnersville, NJ and Sheri (Tony) Ghaul of Beverly, NJ, his nieces and nephews, Killian Thomas, Dylan Thomas, Lauren Petz, Nikolas (Nino) De Oliveira, Sophia Thomas, Charlotte Thomas, and his grandmother, Alfreida Thomas. Shaun is predeceased by his paternal grandfather Phillip Thomas, his maternal grandparents, Harry and Anna Belle (Clark) Stecker, his aunt Shirley (Stecker) Kiss, and his uncle Harry Stecker.  A celebration of life for friends and family will take place at Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union Street, Burlington City, on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Visitation will begin at 10 am followed by a funeral service at 12:00 pm. Burial will then take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery.  Shaun was a Pittsburgh sports fanatic so the family invites you to wear your favorite sports attire.  Like Shaun, children born with congenital heart defects are outliving their life expectancy with the help of science and medical advances. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center, in Shaun’s name, by visiting give2.chop.edu.

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