Obituary of Garrett D. Shelhart

Garrett David Shelhart "Frankie" "Born a Fighter" Canandaigua- Garrett was born Friday October 19, 2007 at Strong Memorial Hospital and passed away Thursday July 7, 2016 in his loving mother's arms right next to his big brother and surrounded by his family and nurses. Garrett was best known for his fighting spirit, large loving eyes, big heart and smile. He overcame so many challenges that he faced in his daily life and never gave up. Through it all he remained a strong and happy boy. Garrett taught our family how to love unconditionally, fight for what you believe in, never give up, family comes first, live life in the fast lane, break the rules, no regrets, and to always try new things even if scary at first. Garrett loved many things and even with his mother being a single mother and him requiring 24 hour care, she wanted him to do everything his brother could do and experience life the way it was meant to be lived. He will truly be missed by all the people's lives he touched and changed. He was the center of his mother's world and best friend to his brother. Garrett was not one who liked to stay put for too long. He loved being out and about and his favorite things included going for walks by the lake after school with Mr. C, going to Byrne Dairy for his weekly ice cream twist, watching wrestling and cheering for John Cena with his brother, enjoying concerts (especially his favorite band Ruby Shooz), listening to "his girl" Adele, going to Tom Wahl's for the oldies music, having Friday and Saturday morning dance parties with his mother and brother, bathtime with his nurse Janice, and cuddling with loved ones, especially at night. He loved anything fast: racing in his stroller, being pushed in his swing, and racing down his ramp. He enjoyed rough-housing with Phil. He love being at school, surrounded by his friends and loving NEC family, especially his nurse Stella. Garrett is survived by his mother Mandie Jo and brother Michael James Shelhart; Grandparents Michael and MaryBeth McWilliams; Maternal Great Grandmother Theresa Lacognato; Paternal Great Grandmother Genevieve McWilliams; Aunts Stephanie (Greg) Canty, Jaime (Jim) Shelters, and Cara (Troy) Rutherford; his cousins Isabella, William, Matthew, and Johnathon; his father Terrance Shelhart; Grandparents Terrance and Mary Ellen Shelhart and their families; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. I want to extend a special thank you to the following for their wonderful care, love and support during these last 14 months and especially this last week: Pediatric Palliative Care; Dr. Korones, through Lifetime Care; the Lifetime Care Staff; "Garrett's Girls" Laurie and Cheryl; Compassion Net (Carmen); The Canandaigua Medical Group (Dr. Hollister, Nancy, and Dr. Campbell); his favorite private duty nurse Janice; NEC nursing staff (Leslee, Kristin, Holly, Cindy, Emily, and his favorite Stella); and Ontario ARC (JoEllen, Maria, and of course Michele). Friends may call Wednesday, July 13, from 4-7pm at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo St. Canandaigua. A 10am funeral mass will be held Thursday, July 14, at St. Mary's Church, 95 N. Main St. Canandaigua In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a Go Fund Me account (set up to help cover Garrett's funeral expenses), to NEC, Compassion Net, or Golisano's Children's Hospital in Garrett's name. To share a memory or express condolences online please visit www.fullerfh.com