SARATOGA SPRINGS — Victoria (Vicki) Colamaria Shea passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, having celebrated her 100th Birthday in August of this year.
Born on August 23, 1913, on Ash Street, Saratoga Springs, she was the daughter of the late Angeline and Thomas Colamaria. Vicki, who was a 1933 graduate of St. Peter’s Academy, was the lead soloist in the St. Peters Church Choir for approximately 40 years, singing at weddings, funerals and the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass.
On August 31, 1936, Vicki was named Miss Convention and opened many events at the Saratoga Springs Convention Hall singing the Star Spangled Banner. During Vicki’s music career, she was a radio personality first at WTAM and WGAR in Cleveland, Ohio, and then locally at WGY and WRGB in Schenectady. Her career included nightclub performances with the Bernie Collins Orchestra and Gordie Randall’s Orchestra singing locally at Piping Rock Circle, Riley’s Lake House, The Meadowbrook Inn, Newman’s Lake House, Arrowhead Inn, and also the Palorama Club in Schenectady.
On February 15, 1942, she married Edward Shea of Schenectady, where they lived for 50 years. They vacationed every winter in Florida, attending the various race tracks while there. In addition to singing, Vicki enjoyed knitting and crocheting, could be found cooking in the family restaurant, Colamaria’s, during the August Racing meet, and was an avid bowler in Schenectady and Burnt Hills Bowling Leagues attending State Bowling Tournaments in the 1950s and 1960s.
In addition to her parents, Vicki was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Eddie; siblings Dorothy, Lillian, Vincenzo, James, and Anne and nephew William Cummings Jr.
Survivors include her sistersNatalie Cummings and Marie McManus; nieces and nephews Marlene Weh Breault, Nancy Bradshaw Pickles, Nick (Madeline) Palmetto, Janice DeMaria, Jay (Tina) Colamaria, Tom (Lori) Colamaria, Clare Colamaria, Carol Catone (Stewart Hatch), Michael (Jo-Ann) Cummings, Susan (David) Waghorn, Kevin Mackay, Bob (Amy) Mackay, Maureen (Larry) Zee and Thomas McManus; great- nieces and nephews Darin, Eric, Niki, Donna, Bill, Nicole, T-Jay, Elle, Hunter, John, Larry, Matt, Kristen, Melissa, Brian, Kelly, Devin and Conor and great-great nieces and nephews Stella, Ryder, Harloe, Tom, Tim, Riley, Jordan, Hanna, Emily, Isabel, Haley, Mackenzie, Grace and Will.
Relatives and friends may call from 4–7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 18 at the Church of St. Peter, 241 Broadway.
Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Peter’s Cemetery on West Ave.
Memorials can be made in Vicki’s name to the Maplewood Manor Resident Activities Fund, 149 Ballston Ave, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
