Shawn Michael Fustin
Obituary

It is incredibly difficult to find the right words to say goodbye to someone you love.

On August 22, 2026, Shawn Michael Fustin passed away peacefully after his health had declined significantly. As his condition worsened and he was no longer able to make those decisions for himself, the decision was made to place Shawn in hospice care.

It was an incredibly difficult decision, but one made out of love and with one thing in mind: Shawn deserved to be comfortable, treated with dignity, and at peace during his final days. Most importantly, he deserved to know that he was not alone.

But Shawn’s life was so much more than his final days.

He was a son, a friend, and someone who meant something different and special to every person who loved him. He had his own way of making his mark on people, and anyone who truly knew Shawn has a story about him. Some will make us laugh. Some will make us cry. And some will bring us right back to a moment with him that we didn’t realize at the time we would someday give anything to have again.

Like all of us, Shawn’s life wasn’t perfect. There were good days and difficult ones, victories and struggles, laughter and heartache. But through all of it, he was Shawn. He was loved for the person he was and for the place he held in the lives of those closest to him.

One of the greatest comforts during Shawn’s final days was seeing just how many people cared about him. Friends and loved ones came together when it mattered most, offering prayers, messages, kindness, generosity, and support. Because of that love and generosity, Shawn’s mother was able to come to California and be near her son during a time when being together mattered more than anything.

There are no words big enough to thank everyone who helped make that possible.

Shawn is survived by his mother, Barbara Sherdan, and her fiancé, Steven Geiger; his close friend, Joel Hills, and Joel’s daughters, Juliana and Autumn; his aunt and uncle, Judy and Ryan Startare; his aunt, Marie Ciancio; his aunt and godmother, Michelle Perna; his aunt, Dolores Riley; his uncle and godfather, Anthony Perna; his longtime friend, Laura Caputo; and his many cousins, extended family members, and friends who loved him and will continue to carry his memory with them.

Losing Shawn leaves an empty space that cannot simply be filled. There will be moments when something funny happens and we immediately think of him. There will be songs, places, stories, and little reminders that bring his memory rushing back. There will be days when we laugh remembering something he did, and other days when missing him hurts all over again.

Those memories are part of what Shawn leaves with us.

Once his ashes are returned, part of Shawn will be taken home to New Jersey, and another part will be taken to Paradise, California. In that way, he will remain connected to the people and places that were part of his life and his story.

For everyone who loved Shawn, there isn’t really a final goodbye. We will carry him with us—in the stories we tell, the memories we share, the laughter that comes when someone says, “Remember when Shawn…” and in all those quiet moments when we simply wish he were still here.

We wish we had more time.

More conversations. More laughs. More ordinary days that we now realize weren’t ordinary at all.

Rest easy, Shawn.

Your struggles are over. You can finally be at peace.

You will be loved, remembered, talked about, laughed about, cried over, and missed more than you could ever know.

Until we meet again.