Bob Shirilla is the founder and content creator of The Art Of Condolence.
He also is the administrator of the Youtube Channel In Loving Memory Tributes. These video tributes are a way to honor and remember famous people who have passed away. The focus is on the positive impact and legacy of the remembered person.
Bob is passionate about helping people that are comforting the bereaved. Our team guides what to say and do when someone losses a friend or family member.
Through personal experience with loss and grief, Bob understands that it can be difficult to find the right words to say when someone dies and comfort someone grieving.
Contact Information
(234) 201-0160
[email protected]
What I’m Reading
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson
Morrie taught me to cherish simplicity, give and receive love, forgive others, and face death with dignity – wisdom I want to exemplify at 75. I can find peace and fulfillment in life’s final seasons by taking his lessons to heart.
Condolences Pocket Guide: What to Say and Not to Say to Grievers by Dana Lacy Amarisa
The book covers typical Condolence topics, but chapter 4 “How to Offer Practical Help,” made me think about how often grieving friends needed help and I didn’t help.
I don’t think it’s the help; it’s the fact that someone loves them enough to be there for them. I need to do better in showing love to my grieving friend.
The Novel Habits of Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
This gentle, compassionate book helps you understand and cope with grief. Importantly, listen to the bereaved’s needs and feelings. Note: watch for signs of depression or anxiety, encouraging professional help if concerned.
Work Experience
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE – US & EAST ASIA
1966 – 1970
Weapons control repairman on F012 Delta Daggers. I loved the work and traveled the world.
YOUNGSTOWN SHEET & TUBE, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
1970 -1978
Started as a laborer in the Open Hearth of YS&T Campbell Works. Promoted to a technician in the Research & Development Laboratory. Attended night school at Youngstown State University.
GENERAL MOTORS, LORDSTOWN OHIO
1978 – 1984
Served as the Body Shop Industrial Engineer and performed traditional IE tasks such as plant layout, time studies, job setup, cost control, UAW negotiations, new product launch coordination, and management consulting.
ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS (EDS), NORTHEAST OHIO
1985 -2007
Functioned as a Senior Project Manager and Sales Support Engineer. Leverage knowledge gained in the Auto Industrial and Steel Manufacturing to plan and lead many large projects for our clients. Challenged daily and enjoyed the journey.
R.J. MANRAY, POLAND OHIO
2008 – Present
Founder and content creator for www.keepsakes-etc.com & www.condolencemessages.com
Education
YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY – INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT 1978
Business and Engineering Coursework provided a strong foundation for a successful career.
Bob Shirilla In The News
Ignore Marketing Myths – Simply Bags focuses on Google Analytics to monitor performance metrics such as sales conversion rates and Google AdWords for advertising.
January 10, 2013 – Read The Full Story
“Customers Want It Now” – Keepsakes Etc & Simply Bags brought its shipping in-house rather than outsourcing to a drop-shipper.
January 15, 2010 – Read The Full Story
Cox Business interviews Bob Shirilla about Keepsakes Etc & Simply Bags and the road from brick and mortar to eCommerce and competing against the big brands. September 6, 2013 – Read The Full Story
Becoming An Entrepreneur and learning that eCommerce is an actual business – you still need to manage all the order-to-cash processes, accounting, HRM, taxes, merchandising, outsourcing, customer relations, etc.. It’s not about being a good internet programmer – it’s about being a sound business person. February 11, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Jeremy Lydic from The local Mahoning County Business Journal featured Simply Bags and Keepsakes Etc in the Daily Journal.
May 27, 2008 – Read The Full Story
The Business News Daily quotes Bob Shirilla regarding leadership understanding and support of the business plan.
October 24, 2012 – Read The Full Story
CBS Money Watch – Become A Better Manager: 14 Simple Tips To Try Today – Included Simply Bags & Bob Shirilla’s responses.
June 30, 2011 – Read The Full Story
Spotlight On eCommerce Pros – Interviewed veteran eCommerce expert Bob Shirilla about Keepsakes Etc & Simply Bags.
August 22, 2011 – Read The Full Story
Ecommerce Guide – Interviews Bob Shirilla regarding the newly release Yahoo Analytics Toolset. December 16, 2008 – Read The Full Story
Microsoft’s new search engine Bing began offering perks to users to increase traffic on their site and eCommerce Times interviews Bob Shirilla to get his take on Bing’s strategy. Jul 9, 2010 – Read The Full Story
Fairground Media select Bob Shirilla to contribute to their article on test marketing new products. Simply Bags has used drop ship programs to discover, test, and implement new product launches.
June 11, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Forbes did a feature on Simply Bags and Keepsakes Etc and how the owners run the business. February 21, 2013 – Read the Full Story
GetVoip interviews Bob Shirilla to determine how Simply Bags uses GoToMyPC to remotely access critical data remotely.
August 22, 2013 – Read The Full Story
Gift Shop Magazine – interviews Bob Shirilla regarding Keepsakes Etc and lessons learned using Yahoo Merchant Solutions eCommerce hosting product.
July 9, 2009 – Read The Full Story
Nancy Collamer from the Huffington Post features Simply Bags and Keepsakes Etc and interviews the owners.
February 24, 2013 – Read The Full Story
Hollis Thomases from Inc Magazine included Bb Shirilla in an online article discussing the benefits of Google+ and how it benefits their eCommerce site Simply Bags.
October 12, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Australian based web design and graphics art company JCP Creations, reached out to Simply Bags to determine the benefit of Social Selling.
January 7, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Bob Shirilla from Simply Bags shares his thoughts on American Express Small Business Saturday.
October 23, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Deborah Sweeney from MyCorporation reached out to Simply Bags to determine the best business decision we made in 2013.
Dec 19, 2013 – Read The Full Story
Lee Miller from The Star-Ledger asks bob about the challenges of being an entrepreneur.
February 8, 2013 – Read The Full Story
Kate Monteith from Practical eCommerce does an extensive interview with Bob Shirilla to discuss Lessons Learned from Simply Bags & Keepsakes Etc.
July 9, 2009 – Read The Full Story
Marian Bankers from Prime Strategies talks to Bob Shirilla about being Business Partnership As A Couple.
Date 11, 2012 – Read The Full Story
Marc Hawk from RevLocal quotes Bob Shirilla from Simply Bags about the benefit of Google + for small business..
December 28, 2011 – Read The Full Story
SERP’s Scott Krager discusses Life & Challenges of being an In-House SEO with Bob Shirilla. November 16, 2011 – Read The Full Story
Stock Logos – discusses The Pros & Cons of Google+ for Small Business with Bob Shirilla. December 28, 2011 – Read The Full Story
Simply Bags & Keepsakes Etc presents to the Youngstown South Christian Women’s Connection at Avion on the Water.
April 9, 2014 – Read The Full Story
YFS magazine Quote -Delegate and outsource often.
November 6, 2013 – Read The Full Story