Pictured are the attendees at the Shea-Clarke 28th Family Reunion held at the home of Dorothy Shea Yazurlo, former Mayor of Laflin. Pictured are, first row: Cris Alu, Tami Snow, Patrick Balester, Kimberley Shea, Kerry Shea, William Shea, Jonny Jones holding Nelson Jones, Jessica Jones, Bridget Balester, Fred Balester, Nancy Balester, Sharon Haverlak, Brian Biernacki, Katie Biernacki, Steve Biernacki, Mike McBride Arianna Hodle, Greg Hodle, Dog is Lea Yazurlo; second row: Becky Hodle, Evan Shea, Michael Yazurlo; third Row: Dorothy Schwab, Michael Schwab (winner of the Water Wars Trophy) Jane Charles, Gemma & Ginny Balester, Dorothy Yazurlo, Rob Charles, Shea Charles, Pat Charles. Other attendees absent from the picture were William, Marcia, and Mario Balester; Derrick Haverlack, and Cormac and Nellie Shea.
Submitted photo
Each year, except 2020, the Shea-Clarke family meets to celebrate the descendants of William and Bridget Clarke Shea. William Shea was born in Wilkes-Barre and served his country in World War I, while Bridget was born in Ireland and immigrated to America in 1913. The family comes from all over — Arizona, California, Missouri, New Jersey, Delaware, Texas and Florida. The highlight of the day is the water wars game, where the winner receives a trophy. This year’s winner, Michael Schwab, is from Arizona. Patrick Balester, from Missouri, is the family photographer who has prepared an album of these events. Nelson Jones and Arianna Hodle represent the fifth generation of this family. Along with family all over the country, we are a diverse family composed of Irish, English, Italian, Polish, German, Spanish, French, Indian and a few unknowns.
