Peter Joseph Shalins, 67, of Alna, died March 31 at his daughter’s residence.
He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 21, 1946, the son of Peter John and Olga Marie (Knapich) Shalins.
In 1964 he graduated from Walt Whitman High School. He entered the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star. On Sept. 22, 1973 he married Pamela Eckert and had three daughters. He was employed by the Town of Huntington Highway Department for 31 years and also had his own Polka Band ‘The Pete Shalins Band’ where he was lead singer/song writer and played the accordion.
In 2003 he moved to Florida after his retirement to be with his mother, Olga Shalins. He enjoyed playing shuffleboard and attending local polka dances. In 2012 he moved to Maine and resided with his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Mark Rego.
He was an avid baseball fan for the New York Mets. He enjoyed music, playing blackjack, and especially spending time with his daughters and grandchildren.
He is survived by daughters, Veronica Bretton and husband Eric of Gorham, Melody Shalins and Linwood Greenleaf of Topsham, and Cynthia Rego and husband Mark of Alna, and their brother Tommy George Jr. and wife Krista of Alna; cousins, Lorraine Kotelnicki, Christina Loy, and Linda Silver; grandchildren, Jordan and Amber Bretton, Dakota Shalins, Jade, Jasmine and Peter Rego; and step-grandchildren, Benjamin and Cameron Greenleaf.
Burial will be at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath.
