Sham Kumar Sharma

Sham Kumar Sharma was born March 10, 1942, in Patna, Bihar to Jagan Nath and Savitri Devi. The family originally lived in Punjab however Jagan Nath had a successful business selling Singer sewing machines in Bihar/Bengal. Sham had two older brothers (Krishan and Goverdhan), an older sister (Kamla), and a younger broth (Sukhdev). Jagan Nath passed away when Sham was three years of age and Sham became very close to his mother and siblings. The family moved back to Punjab where they lived with the maternal grandfather. Sham grew up in a very active house with 6 cousins and his own siblings. Despite health issues as a child Sham grew up to be very tall and handsome. Even more importantly his manners were beloved by everyone who met him. He is described as gentle, honest, shy, and innocent. He never fought with other children and never argued with adults. In the ancient Vedic tradition he kept his senses under control. His ability to concentrate and engross himself in his work propelled him into studying engineering (electrical and mechanical) where he obtained high distinction.

Sham moved to Delhi with his brothers where he quickly found a position in the Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking (DESU), the electric generation and distribution company in Delhi. He quickly rose to the level of an executive director and led a team of engineers. While living in New Delhi, he wedded Neena Paul on October 12, 1976. Sham and Neena had a son, Manish, in 1977 and a daughter, Megha, in 1980. Sham loved his wife and children.

He pampered them and gave them eternal love. The family lived in Mayapuri, Delhi until immigrating to the United States in 1985 where Sham followed his brothers to pursue their American Dream.

Sham moved to the borough of Queens in New York with his family and shortly thereafter gained employment at Con Edison in 1986. Sham loved the United States and in particular New York City. He loved working in Manhattan’s 14th Street - Union Square area where he found the city work-life rewarding. The family lived in Queens, NY initially in apartments in Richmond Hill, Elmhurst, and finally in Forest Hills. The family eventually bought a house in Forest Hills in 1991. Queens provided the family with access to traditional Indian culture, family, and friends. Sham worked at Con Edison there until his untimely retirement in March 2004 due to a devastating heart attack. He survived for almost 20 years with initially minor disability that gradually progressed until his death on September 30th, 2023. Sham is survived by his wife (Neena), daughter (Megha), son (Manish) daughter-in-law (Monica) and two granddaughters (Jasmine and Lily).

Aum shanti, shanti, shanti…