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Robert Anthony LaLama
October 7, 1966 ~ May 17, 2017 (age 50) 50 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from St. Joseph Parish
May 24, 2017 1:56 PM
Robert Anthony LaLama
October 7, 1966 to May 17, 2017 (age 50)
Funeral Mass of Thanksgiving
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
St. Joseph Church in Coraopolis, PA
Fr. Richard S. Jones
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is a wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
We gather today from near and far, family and friends, companions and comrades, neighbors and parishioners to remember, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to bid a prayerful farewell to Robert Anthony LaLama. On behalf of all of us gathered here this day, we wish to express to his faithful mother, Amelia; loving wife Carolyn of 24 years; children, who brought ‘sweetness’ to his life, Mark and Miranda; his devoted siblings, sister Louise (Vincenzo) and brother Lou (Karen); uncle Guido; niece, Amelia (Gary); nephew, Tom (Christina); great niece and great nephew, Marian and Vincenzo and as he was proceeded in death by his father, Gino LaLama and nephew, Donald Silvestri. Robert’s family was so important to him and he loved each and every moment he spent with them.
Robert graduated in 1985 from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School (OLSH) in Moon Twp., PA. It is only fitting that we have a senior from the OLSH Class of 2017 serving at the altar, Sarah Macchione, as she wanted to be here today, which is her last day at OLSH and is also Senior Class Day. Robert was the first recipient of the Blessed Angela Award, which is presented to the senior who most exhibits the Felician charism and the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska (founder of the Felician Sisters). He went on to the University of Pittsburgh and then graduating from the State Police Academy in 1992.
As a State Trooper he became a crime corporal and a homicide detective. It is only fitting that he was called home to God and left this world during National Police Week. He was described by a friend, Michael Masch – “He was a top-notch cop, a tireless and dogged investigator and a really good human being – son, husband, father and family man. I was honored to be his friend.”
The last 3 years of his life have certainly been a “Calvary experience” but he embraced it with grace, gratitude, graciousness, and a resilient spirit. Despite many hospitalizations, tests, procedures, prostate cancer, donor recipient of liver, he held on to hope each day to the very end.
During my visits we would often share experiences from both our respective walks of life, where we would see the dark and light sides of humanity at its worse and at its best with mutual admiration and respect for one another’s calling. Our common ground was faith. In Psalms 29:11 it says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Each time I would visit Robert in the hospital, I would ask him if he would like to receive Jesus and his reaction would be as if he would jump out of the bed to be “lifted up” by the Lord, whose love is everlasting. He was ever so humble and always grateful for the simple and ordinary things of daily life. He was truly a ‘disciple of the Lord’. Bob was so proud to see his son, Mark serve here on the altar here at St. Joseph. It brought him great joy. His daughter, Miranda has a –‘sunshine smile’ that could brighten even the bleakest and darkest days. His only heart’s desire was to be around and to see them grow, but with trusting faith and confidence that God would watch out for each of them if they but trust and live in faith.
One day I went to Robert’s home to visit him and was greeted by his German shepherd, Lexie. Of course, I should have expected someone in the police field to have a German shepherd.
Robert was a consummate gentleman in the best sense of the word. His inner strength, calm, confidence, kindness, and good nature made him even keeled to whatever life would bring. He had a passion and compassion to serve others and to help them in whatever capacity he was able to do so. He was ever conscious of how did I foster or hinder Christ’s reign in my life today? Through the gift of levity, humor and jokes it could take the edge off the hardships, trials, crosses, problems and struggles that envelope life. He sought always to be a prophet of truth, a messenger of hope, a minstrel of joy, and an instrument of God’s peace to others.
On the day of Robert’s death he was on the 12th floor in room 1270 at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA recovering from a recent liver transplant. In the early morning hours on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 he went into emergency surgery for a ruptured artery. The family was called at 3:30 in the morning. When I got there around noon, I assured Carolyn that he was in the best possible place and he would be provided the greatest opportunity to enhance his life, but medicine, technology, and science can only take us so far. That is why we need faith and approach each new day with hope that Jesus is always with us as a friend and lover of our souls.
After putting on the gloves and the gown and seeing the feverish nurses working endlessly at his side, family members continued to pour in with expressions of support, love and prayers. I assured his wife before departure that all is in God’s hands. The call came to the rectory later that afternoon that at 2:14 pm Robert had passed on. “Remember to care for the soul more than the body, since the soul remains, and the body perishes.” — St. Alcuin, the Abbott (730-804)
I thought to myself, after a courageous and fierce struggle, along with St. Paul, he had fought the good fight, had run the race and kept the faith to the very end (2 Timothy 4:7). Now there is no more pain, no more sickness, no more suffering, no more tests, and no more procedures. He is now in the loving care of the God who created him, redeems him and saves him. He is out of mortal danger and in the heavenly care of God, the Father, who provides, protects, and pledges His love to all of his children.
St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of police and one of St. Michael’s main responsibilities is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death. He was interred in the Holy Angels Chapel Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery, 100 Resurrection Road, Moon Township, PA.
St. Joseph, (patron of the fathers and the dying), St. Robert Bellarmine (patron of catechists), St. Anthony of Padua (patron of lost things), St. Michael the Archangel (patron of police, soldiers and doctors), pray for us.
Police Officer’s Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises
of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional
eyes on your earthly force.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for
investigation and wise judgement.
Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and
law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,
strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.
You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences
with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not
always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so
pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the
devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.
And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the
throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
the people. Amen.
October 7, 1966 to May 17, 2017 (age 50)
Funeral Mass of Thanksgiving
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
St. Joseph Church in Coraopolis, PA
Fr. Richard S. Jones
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is a wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
We gather today from near and far, family and friends, companions and comrades, neighbors and parishioners to remember, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to bid a prayerful farewell to Robert Anthony LaLama. On behalf of all of us gathered here this day, we wish to express to his faithful mother, Amelia; loving wife Carolyn of 24 years; children, who brought ‘sweetness’ to his life, Mark and Miranda; his devoted siblings, sister Louise (Vincenzo) and brother Lou (Karen); uncle Guido; niece, Amelia (Gary); nephew, Tom (Christina); great niece and great nephew, Marian and Vincenzo and as he was proceeded in death by his father, Gino LaLama and nephew, Donald Silvestri. Robert’s family was so important to him and he loved each and every moment he spent with them.
Robert graduated in 1985 from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School (OLSH) in Moon Twp., PA. It is only fitting that we have a senior from the OLSH Class of 2017 serving at the altar, Sarah Macchione, as she wanted to be here today, which is her last day at OLSH and is also Senior Class Day. Robert was the first recipient of the Blessed Angela Award, which is presented to the senior who most exhibits the Felician charism and the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska (founder of the Felician Sisters). He went on to the University of Pittsburgh and then graduating from the State Police Academy in 1992.
As a State Trooper he became a crime corporal and a homicide detective. It is only fitting that he was called home to God and left this world during National Police Week. He was described by a friend, Michael Masch – “He was a top-notch cop, a tireless and dogged investigator and a really good human being – son, husband, father and family man. I was honored to be his friend.”
The last 3 years of his life have certainly been a “Calvary experience” but he embraced it with grace, gratitude, graciousness, and a resilient spirit. Despite many hospitalizations, tests, procedures, prostate cancer, donor recipient of liver, he held on to hope each day to the very end.
During my visits we would often share experiences from both our respective walks of life, where we would see the dark and light sides of humanity at its worse and at its best with mutual admiration and respect for one another’s calling. Our common ground was faith. In Psalms 29:11 it says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Each time I would visit Robert in the hospital, I would ask him if he would like to receive Jesus and his reaction would be as if he would jump out of the bed to be “lifted up” by the Lord, whose love is everlasting. He was ever so humble and always grateful for the simple and ordinary things of daily life. He was truly a ‘disciple of the Lord’. Bob was so proud to see his son, Mark serve here on the altar here at St. Joseph. It brought him great joy. His daughter, Miranda has a –‘sunshine smile’ that could brighten even the bleakest and darkest days. His only heart’s desire was to be around and to see them grow, but with trusting faith and confidence that God would watch out for each of them if they but trust and live in faith.
One day I went to Robert’s home to visit him and was greeted by his German shepherd, Lexie. Of course, I should have expected someone in the police field to have a German shepherd.
Robert was a consummate gentleman in the best sense of the word. His inner strength, calm, confidence, kindness, and good nature made him even keeled to whatever life would bring. He had a passion and compassion to serve others and to help them in whatever capacity he was able to do so. He was ever conscious of how did I foster or hinder Christ’s reign in my life today? Through the gift of levity, humor and jokes it could take the edge off the hardships, trials, crosses, problems and struggles that envelope life. He sought always to be a prophet of truth, a messenger of hope, a minstrel of joy, and an instrument of God’s peace to others.
On the day of Robert’s death he was on the 12th floor in room 1270 at Allegheny General Hospital on the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA recovering from a recent liver transplant. In the early morning hours on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 he went into emergency surgery for a ruptured artery. The family was called at 3:30 in the morning. When I got there around noon, I assured Carolyn that he was in the best possible place and he would be provided the greatest opportunity to enhance his life, but medicine, technology, and science can only take us so far. That is why we need faith and approach each new day with hope that Jesus is always with us as a friend and lover of our souls.
After putting on the gloves and the gown and seeing the feverish nurses working endlessly at his side, family members continued to pour in with expressions of support, love and prayers. I assured his wife before departure that all is in God’s hands. The call came to the rectory later that afternoon that at 2:14 pm Robert had passed on. “Remember to care for the soul more than the body, since the soul remains, and the body perishes.” — St. Alcuin, the Abbott (730-804)
I thought to myself, after a courageous and fierce struggle, along with St. Paul, he had fought the good fight, had run the race and kept the faith to the very end (2 Timothy 4:7). Now there is no more pain, no more sickness, no more suffering, no more tests, and no more procedures. He is now in the loving care of the God who created him, redeems him and saves him. He is out of mortal danger and in the heavenly care of God, the Father, who provides, protects, and pledges His love to all of his children.
St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of police and one of St. Michael’s main responsibilities is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death. He was interred in the Holy Angels Chapel Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery, 100 Resurrection Road, Moon Township, PA.
St. Joseph, (patron of the fathers and the dying), St. Robert Bellarmine (patron of catechists), St. Anthony of Padua (patron of lost things), St. Michael the Archangel (patron of police, soldiers and doctors), pray for us.
Police Officer’s Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,
who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premises
of all its undesirables, look with kindly and professional
eyes on your earthly force.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for
investigation and wise judgement.
Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and
law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores,
strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations.
You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences
with the devil that the police officer's lot on earth is not
always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so
pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the
devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration.
And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your
heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the
throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all
the people. Amen.
Message from Louis
May 23, 2017 9:04 PM
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you." It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on. I need you here badly; you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man. God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain, then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain." And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile, knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low, just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free, remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)©Copyright 1998 -
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)©Copyright 1998 -
A candle was lit by Mary Olayer
on May 22, 2017 7:36 PM
Message from Jeffery Deller
May 22, 2017 12:05 AM
Robert and I commuted to the University of Pittsburgh together in the late 1980's. I also worked with his mom at Volante's. Robert was a kind soul. I always enjoyed talking to him about foreign affairs, politics and our future. We lost touch as we went our separate ways as adults. I have no doubt he was a wonderful husband, father and State Trooper. I am blessed to have met him. My prayers are wil the whole Lalama family.
A candle was lit by Biondo family
on May 21, 2017 12:20 PM
Deepest sympathy to the LaLlama families
Deepest sympathy to the LaLlama families
A candle was lit by Bill Feineigle
on May 20, 2017 5:48 PM
A Dish Garden with Fresh Flowers was sent on May 20, 2017
With Deepest Sympathy. Love, Gaetano & Lina Fortuna and Joseph and Cecilia Morelli & Family
Message from Judy Ross
May 20, 2017 9:52 AM
Carolyn, Mark, and Miranda,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I am happy that I got to know him. He was so gentle and kind. The love of his family was so evident the times that I spoke to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I am happy that I got to know him. He was so gentle and kind. The love of his family was so evident the times that I spoke to him. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
A Designers Choice was sent on May 19, 2017
With out deepest sympathies and prayers. The Stoops Family
A candle was lit by Your cugina, ciao
on May 19, 2017 8:12 PM
A candle was lit by Doug Loughner
on May 19, 2017 6:37 PM
A candle was lit by Kim Starner & Joseph Kalin
on May 19, 2017 5:44 PM
A candle was lit by Paul and Margie Pierce.
on May 19, 2017 11:22 AM
A candle was lit by Eddie and Ronda Hermick
on May 19, 2017 11:08 AM
Message from Michael Hasch
May 19, 2017 10:03 AM
Mrs. Lalama and family:
I was so sorry to pick up the morning paper and see Bobby's obituary. I am certainly happy that his years of suffering are over but so sad for all of his loved ones he leaves behind. He was a top-notch cop, a tireless and dogged investigator and a really good human being, husband, father and family man. I was honored to be his friend. Peace, God bless and prayers.
I was so sorry to pick up the morning paper and see Bobby's obituary. I am certainly happy that his years of suffering are over but so sad for all of his loved ones he leaves behind. He was a top-notch cop, a tireless and dogged investigator and a really good human being, husband, father and family man. I was honored to be his friend. Peace, God bless and prayers.
A candle was lit by diane puglielli
on May 19, 2017 9:56 AM
Message from diane puglielli
May 19, 2017 9:56 AM
Dear Family, Deepest sympathy on your loss. May God have Mercy on his soul. He will always be with you all in his kind, loving spirit.
A candle was lit by Sandra and Tom Cuteri
on May 19, 2017 9:35 AM
A candle was lit by Chris Reed
on May 18, 2017 5:30 PM
Message from David M. Korman
May 18, 2017 2:58 PM
Bob was a student of mine at Pitt in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He was an outstanding student and person. At the time, I conducted a legal clinic at which Bob interned. All of our clients were poor, most were battered women, and many were scared and scarred by life experiences. Bob was always there for them as a calm, strong, reassuring figure. He worked far beyond the requirements of the job- and always with his wonderful sense of humor. May happy memories bring solace to his family and friends
Message from Dave Buchowski
May 18, 2017 2:00 PM
Bob your work on earth is done. Rest In Peace knowing that you will always be remembered as great husband, father, cousin, uncle, friend, and trooper. The PSP lost one of their hero soldiers of the law. How appropriate that you left this world during National Police Week. We will all miss you greatly!
Message from Sherri
May 18, 2017 12:34 PM
Carolyn & Family ~
May it comfort you to know that Bob is in the presence of our Lord & Savior. No more pain. No more hurt. Just a perfect, heavenly body. Have hope in tomorrow, have faith in the everlasting, and take comfort in the love of friends and family.
May it comfort you to know that Bob is in the presence of our Lord & Savior. No more pain. No more hurt. Just a perfect, heavenly body. Have hope in tomorrow, have faith in the everlasting, and take comfort in the love of friends and family.
A candle was lit by The Von Stein Family
on May 18, 2017 12:28 PM
Message from Gels
May 18, 2017 12:28 PM
To Carolyn, Mark, and Miranda. And the entire family: We lost a hero yesterday. My cousin and my friend. Gratefully we will always have our cherished memories of Robert; but more than that, we as Christians have the great hope of spending eternity with Robert. Rest easy Robert. Until we meet again,I love you dearheart.
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