Thomas Robert Shanahan died peacefully after a long illness on June 13, 2020 at the age of 75.
Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Judy and their children Jeanne Kathleen Shanahan, Lynn Marie (Marc) Lewandowski. Tom will be fondly remembered by his 7 grandchildren, Victoria Tucci, Theodore Tucci, Catherine Tucci, Patrick Tucci, Bella Lewandowski, Stephen Lewandowski, and Anya Lewandowski and by his siblings Robert (Geri) Shanahan, Marilyn (Edward) Blood, Karen Shanahan Heintz, and Jamie (Vanessa) Shanahan. He is preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Ann Tucci.
Tom was born on November 13, 1944 in Buffalo, NY to Thomas William and Jeanne (Miller) Shanahan. A Cleveland High School and SUNY Morrisville graduate, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Marine medic before returning stateside and marrying his fiancée, Judy.
Over the next several decades the couple moved to Arizona and California while Tom enjoyed success in his field of (anesthesia) medical device training and sales. They expanded their family with the arrivals of 3 daughters. His children remember him as a driven and patriotic father who loved fishing, bowling, 50’s Rock and Roll, and a grandfather who loved his grandchildren and dogs.
He was an active and dedicated member of the Catholic Church and served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Michael Hogan Council in Fairport, NY. His leadership and volunteerism knew no bounds and he encouraged all to get involved.
Like his dedication to his Church, Tom was an avid supporter of United States Veterans and often spoke of the importance of treating veterans with dignity.
The funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, June 18th at 11:00 am at St. John of Rochester Church in Fairport, NY. A reception to follow at a later date due to COVID-19 restrictions. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Tom’s life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Tom Shanahan’s memory to Veteran’s Outreach Center at 447 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620 or Perinton Volunteer Ambulance at 1400 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY 14440.
Comments
24 responses to “Shanahan, Thomas Robert”
What a beautiful tribute to a man we all loved!
Count on our prayers!
There aren’t words that can describe what I want to say and how I feel. I want to comfort all of you. But you all know that he is done suffering and in the one place we all strive to go. My heart is with you all and I love you so very much. Judy oh, you have been so brave and so strong and so valiant through all of this. No one can ever say you didn’t do your job well. You wrote the book on it. I love you God bless you Fiat
Tommy.. You will be in my thoughts, prayers and heart forever. I will miss you big brudder! I love you Tommy… KarenAnn
Uncle Tom, May angels surround you and May God Bless You ! I loved Uncle Tom so much. Aunt Judy, stay strong. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. Jeanne and Lynn, my heart goes to you. All our love, Jerry, Jeanine, Jerry, Mary, Jelena.
Tommy you were an inspiration to all who served with you in the Knights. A true Brother and friend.
Vivat Jesus
Tom, together with Judy, his inspiration, has given the world a legacy of loving children and grandchildren. Their passion to make the world a better place continues through their respect, indeed love, of each human person who they see as a child of God.
On behalf of St. Louis Council 15833 of the Knights of Columbus, Tom will be truly missed. May he rest in peace.
Joseph DiPrima. Grand Knight
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine around him. May he rest in peace, Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
I was very fortunate to have my path cross Tom’s several times in our lives. He was a true friend, a Brother Knight and a mentor for most of my adult life. RIP my friend. You will be missed! Judy, Jeanne and Lynn all his Brother Knights at Michael C Hogan Council 15917 walk with you and yours. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague. Tom and I worked in adjoining territories with Ohio Medical/Ohmeda and were roommates at many national meetings together. We shared a lot of laughter and Tom made me a better salesman, a better husband, and father. Tom was an honorable man of integrity; a fellow Navy Corpsman and I will miss him. Judy, my prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15
Jeanne and Lynn, My heart goes out to your family. I never met your dad personally but I think I knew him through you, his daughters and his grandchildren.. The Shanahan family is such a strong, faith-filled and loving family that your dad is certainly going to continue to live through his children and grandchildren. He has left a wonderful legacy. My prayers are with your family and especially, your mom. God Bless you All!
Tom will missed by all the veterans who shared common experiences together. Rest in peace brother.
Tom will be remembered with great love by his entire family. He was a symbol if strength and perseverance among Veterans of Viet Nam. He will be missed, and remembered by all who knew him. Judy, I know your great faith will sustain you in this time of sorrow because God has given us the Hope of the return of Christ when we will all be gathered together with Him
I remember Tom from high school. Always enjoyed being around him. Tom certainly gave his all for his country and family. A real class guy for sure.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine around him. May he rest in peace, Amen.
Jeanne, Lynn, and Mrs Shanahan – I’m so sorry to hear of Mr Shanahan’s passing. Sending you all my prayers and big hugs for your tremendous loss. He was such a sweet man with a great sense of humor. Like the rest of the Shanahans, he had a smile that lit up the room, and made me laugh with his silly jokes. So many good memories of seeing Mr and Mrs Shanahan at Jen’s house. I have great love and affection for your family, you are such an intrinsic part of me and the person I am today. You were all an inspiration to me to deepen my faith and relationship with God. I am grateful for your gentle guidance. Much love, Mary Beth
Our heartfelt condolences to our very dear friend Judy and bereaved Shanahan family. Please be assured of our prayers and Mass remembrances for the eternal repose of the soul of beloved departed +Tom.
“Eternal rest grant unto Tom, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed , Rest In Peace.
Amen. “ “ O Blessed Virg8n Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and our dearest Mother , Pls receive and welcome Tom in your arms together with all the angels and saints in heaven and present him to our Merciful God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit , Amen.”
“Jesu, Ufam Tobie!”..
With Much Love and prayers from your friends in Phoenix, Arizona ..Tom and Rose Cavagnaro and family.❤️✝️??⚓️✝️
Tom was such a gentle soul who was quiet, kind and respected by his classmates at Cleveland Hill. Rest in peace dear Eagle.
I will always think of Tom as the strong, handsome and personable warrior that could do anything. I met him when I was about 11 years old and he was dating my glamorous cousin Judy. Tom was a dedicated and loving family man that always took interest in everyone. He was a good man with high standards and morals. He will be missed by everyone, especially his family. Tom and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Debbie Czapski
Our fondest memories are of him and his brother Bobby visiting from the Naval Base. Strong and courageous. Humble. Cousin Tommy will never be forgotten in my family. God Bless.
For all the countless marines and sailors you saved during your time in service, your country owes your family a debt of gratitude. I went to school with your sister Marilyn. God bless you from a USMC (ret) family.
God bless all the Shanahans at this difficult time. I didn’t know Tom personally but I remember his friendly voice on the phone the many times I called Judy about church things. What a blessing to have had 50 years of marriage and what an inspirations everyone in the Shanahan family are! A truly awesome legacy for the father and husband! Rest in Christ’s gentle peace.
Judy, I was saddened to read of Tom’s passing. He was such a nice person & it was always a pleasure to see him at work years after we left the Mail Boxes nightmare. Skip & I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
a Great man! Welcoming.
I remember Tom very well from Cleveland Hill. All nice memories.