Obituary of John "Jack" L. Shanahan, Jr.
John “Jack” L. Shanahan, Jr.
PEABODY – John L. “Jack” Shanahan, Jr., 71, beloved husband of Katherine “Kathie” (McCarty) Shanahan and devoted father of Kate Shanahan, died on Monday July 13, 2015 at the North Shore Medical Center—Salem Hospital while in the comforting presence of his family and caring medical team, following a brief illness.
Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late John L. and M. Virginia (Foley) Shanahan, Sr. He grew up in Swampscott, and graduated from St. Mary’s Boys High School in Lynn. In 1965, he graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, and later earned a master’s degree in Accountancy from Bentley College in Waltham. He was a Certified Public Accountant.
Jack joined the Army in 1966, becoming a helicopter pilot. He deployed to Vietnam in 1967 with an Air Cavalry Unit (C Troop 7th Squadron 17th Air Cavalry) as a gunship pilot. Shot down while on a mission, Jack rescued his crew and assisted them to safety despite being wounded in the head. After recovering from his wounds, he returned to his unit to complete his first tour of duty in Vietnam. In 1970, he returned for a second tour as a pilot, serving as a Platoon Commander in an Assault Helicopter Company. Jack was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and several Air Medals. His unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Jack left active duty in 1971 and joined the Army Reserve. He was ordered to active duty and served his third combat tour as a Lieutenant Colonel during the 1991 Gulf War. He retired from the military in 1997. His ties to the military and the friends he made there were strong throughout his life.
After his return to the United States, Jack was employed by the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller until 1981. He then became a CPA and was employed by Tofias, Fleishman & Shapiro Accounting Firm before joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Boston as a Financial Analyst.
Jack always said his greatest accomplishment and joy in life was being Kate’s “Dad.” Patiently teaching her the practical elements of life, listening and offering sound advice, and supporting her through all of her endeavors, he eagerly awaited each new chapter in her life. He shared with her his love of history, keen debating and critical thinking skills and the value of integrity. He and his wife Kathie spent many years as team members in the Marriage Preparation Program for engaged couples at St. Ann’s Parish in Peabody.
He is survived by his wife Kathie (McCarty) Shanahan of Peabody, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage; a cherished daughter Kate Shanahan of Somerville; a brother Edward “Ted” Shanahan and his wife Rae of Scituate and sister Mary Murdock and her husband Steve of Woodinville, WA; a cousin Elizabeth O’Connor of Lynn; sisters-in-law Maryann Gahagan and Patricia Shanahan; brother-in-law James McCarty; and 10 nieces and nephews, Karen Gahagan of Salem, Nancy Leonard & her husband Jeff of Lexington, Paula Tap & her husband Matt of Natick, Jacqueline Kaiser & her husband Neal of Swampscott, David Shanahan of Somerville, Michael Shanahan and Matthew Shanahan both of Scituate, Dan Murdock & his wife Rebecca of Raleigh, NC, Matthew Murdock and Elissa Murdock both of Woodinville, WA. He was preceded in death, besides his parents, by a brother William Shanahan.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Saturday July 18, 2015 at 10 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM in St. Richard’s Church, Danvers. A visitation will be held on Friday July 17th from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lynn. In honor of the wonderful nursing care Jack received, memorial donations, annotated “In Memory of Jack Shanahan” to benefit a nurse’s education fund may be made to NSMC, 81 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970 Attn: Foundation Department.
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Cemetery Service
Saturday, July 18, 2015St. Mary's Cemetery, LynnBroadwayLynn, MA12:30PM
Funeral
Saturday, July 18, 2015St. Richard's Church90 Forest StreetDanvers, MA11:00AM
Visitation 1
Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home82 Lynn StreetPeabody, MAFriday, July 17, 20154:00PM8:00PM
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