9 months after being hit by car, ‘Sonny the Hat Man’ dies

Staff report

Boardman

A man who had been a fixture along township streets has died, exactly nine months after he was struck by a car.

Eugene R. “Sonny the Hat Man” Shapshe, 66, died Saturday. Many motorists recognized Shapshe by the decorated hats he wore during his regular walks along the roads.

Shapshe was crossing Market Street about 9 p.m. Nov. 25, 2011, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Danica Jo Jackson, 21, of Salem, who was leaving Southern Park Mall.

A report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canfield Post said Shapshe was “crossing a dark and unlighted area wearing dark clothing.”

Shapshe often decorated his hats according to the season.

Snowman ornaments and the strap from Shapshe’s hat were among the crash debris as were his shoes.

The report says Shapshe suffered injuries to his head, legs, ribs, ankle and face.

The prosecutor in the Boardman Court determined there wasn’t sufficient evidence to issue a charge, according to the police report.

Lt. Chris Heverly of the Canfield Post said Shapshe’s death doesn’t change that.

Calling hours are from 10 to 11 a.m. today at Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell where a prayer service will follow.

Shapshe was born in Youngstown and graduated in 1967 from Campbell Memorial High School.

His obituary says he loved Southern Park Mall and spent many hours there making people smile at the hats he made and wore.