Ron Balachandran

Elbert Ronald Balachandran, 57, of Mechanicsburg, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Ron was the son of the late ChandraRaj Selvaratnam and Mary Alfonzo, born on September 25, 1964, in Klang, Malaysia.

Drafted at the age of 18, Ron would serve in the Singapore Armed Forces and was ultimately stationed at the Singaporean Consulate, Washington D.C. He earned a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Shippensburg University where he made lasting and priceless friendships with Salam and Saba. Ron’s career as a car buyer began in his last semester at Ship, when he was challenged by his employer’s son Tim (now, friend) to try his hand at wholesale auto buying. Blowing away expectations, Ron dove into his new role and never looked back, still doing what he loved until his very last day. After a few years in the market, he took a position with Ford Motor Company, test driving their vehicles in various conditions and terrain across the country. He would transition to an auditing position within the company, and would eventually leave to go into business with Keith Shaw. Still friends, Keith is responsible for turning Ron into a Dunkin Donuts coffee fiend and daily customer. He settled for nothing less (though he did give Norm’s brew a passing grade).

He was witty and jovial, constantly bringing a smile to those around him. “Let me tell you a story…” he would say, and at this point, you knew you were in for a long one! If you caught him watching TV, you could expect Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke or a John Wayne western gracing the screen. A man of faith, he and his wife, Shabi, attended Vibrant – A Christian Church, Mechanicsburg. Ron always had a pleasant disposition and a knack for being able to chat with anyone. He was reasonable, as evidenced by Shabi convincing him to sell his Porsche early in their marriage; then again, he lived in Pennsylvania and wore shorts year-round, so we can’t fully validate his mental fitness. He was passionate about current events and politics, and he was a Philadelphia Eagles fan (but would really watch any live sports he could). He will be deeply missed by those he encountered throughout the years.

Surviving Ron is his wife of 19 years, Shabnam “Shabi” Bharwani Balachandran; a sister, Loretta Halligan and brother-in-law, Shawn Halligan of East Bethel, MN. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Mira Bharwani; a brother-in-law Ravin Bharwani; sister-in-law, Dolly Bharwani-Ferrer and her husband, Jose Ferrer and their daughter, Kaitlyn Ferrer. He also leaves behind his Uncle Vathana and Aunty Susie, nieces and nephews, and many cousins, namely: Sonna, Girley, Shirley, Selvan, Rachael, Neela, Shameela, Nimi, Suja, Premila, Shoba, Sheila V., Anita, Natasha, and Amanda. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Bridgette; father-in law, Lach Bharwani; and grandparents, Elbert Selvaratnam and Agatha Thangaratnam.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 9AM on Friday, October 8, 2021, at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland. Please join the family for Ron’s favorite Dunkin Donuts coffee and refreshments from 8AM until services begin at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (diabetesresearch.org).