Obituary of Andrew Shannon

Andrew P. Shannon, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday morning, May 29, 2010. He was the husband of the late Sheila A. (Burns), who just passed away on May 21, 2010. He was 74 years old. Andy was born in Medford on September 21, 1935, the son of the late P. Frank and Margaret (McQuaid) Shannon. He was raised and educated in Malden, graduating from Malden Catholic High School in 1953. Andy went on to further his education, briefly attending the University of New Hampshire, where he played football, hockey and lacrosse. He transferred to Merrimack College, from where he graduated with a degree in Marketing in 1958. Andy enjoyed a successful career at Gillette Corporation in South Boston, where he started in 1962, and eventually worked as the Director of Marketing Research for the company’s razor division, before semi-retiring in 1988. After leaving Gillette, Andy worked as a groundskeeper at Lahey Clinic and Share-A-Ride in Burlington, and later for the Burlington school system as a bus driver for autistic children. During their retirement, Andy lived in Ossipee, New Hampshire, with Sheila, where he was an active parishioner at St. Joseph’s Church, a volunteer with Meals On Wheels, and the president of Ossipee’s Bluffs Association. With his wife, he returned to Burlington in 2003, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Andy had many interests, including boating, fresh water fishing and hunting in Ossipee. He was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard in the 1950’s and 1960’s, he served on Burlington’s Finance Committee in the 1970’s, and he was an avid supporter of the Salvation Army. He took pride in his home, and enjoyed gardening and landscaping. Andy felt that his family was his greatest accomplishment, and he was intensely proud of his children and grandchildren. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather, Andy will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children: James & his wife Deborah of Townsend, Andrew Jr. of Burlington, Thomas & his wife Mary of Burlington, Michael of Lowell, and Kathleen Weisse & her husband Duane of Burlington. He was the loving grandfather of Angela, Laura & Brian Shannon of Townsend, Kelly & Emily Shannon and Shannon & Christian Weisse, all of Burlington. Andy also leaves his sister, Patricia Walsh, of Kissimmee, Florida, and his brother Paul Shannon of Providence, Rhode Island. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Monday, 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Andy’s name may be made to St. Malachy’s Building Fund, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803.