Obituary of Thomas Shannon

Thomas Shannon, a retired Trouble Shooter for Boston Edison passed away after a long illness at the E.N. Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center in Bedford on Wednesday night, December 26, 2012. He was 82 years old. Tom was born in Somerville, the son of Irish immigrants, the late Thomas and Margaret Shannon. He went to St. Anne’s Elementary School and was a graduate of Somerville High School, Class of 1949. He married his sweetheart, Barbara Olson, in 1954. He enlisted in the Army in January of 1955 and earned the rank of Army Specialist Third Class. His military service overlapped the end of the Korean War and the beginning of the Vietnam War. After Tom was discharged from the military, he settled in Burlington. Tom was a loyal employee of Boston Edison for 42 years. He spent most of his career as a trouble shooter working to restore electricity during power outages. Tom took great pride in his work as he and his fellow repairman worked tirelessly to keep the power grids up and running. It was Tom who was responsible for making one of the first emergency calls in 1973 reporting the beginning of the Great Chelsea Fire. He was recognized on the front cover of the Edison magazine for his impressive safety record. He had a tremendous work ethic and for 15 years worked a second job at the Central Hospital in Somerville, just so he could provide for his family. There are quite a few adjectives that could be used to describe Tom Shannon which include honorable, loving, hospitable, concerned, friendly and kind. &quote;Tom Terrific&quote; was infamous for his many sayings and quick wit. He had a great devotion and appreciation for his wife of 56 years, Barbara, as well his family and friends. He was a supportive and caring father always making time for his children's sporting events as well their other activities and interests. He loved being a Grandpa and &quote;Dede&quote; to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had a great circle of friends and family with whom he loved to socialize and travel. They shared more than 50 years of wonderful memories. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to a neighbor or friend. Tom always seemed to be in a good mood as he was always singing a tune as he did his work especially Irish ditties. His memory and spirit will be etched in the hearts of all his family and friends. Tom was the beloved husband of Beloved husband of the late Barbara (Olson). He was the loving father of Donna Smith & her husband Andrew of Burlington, Stephen & his wife Nancy of Holbrook, Daniel & his wife Carolyn of Burlington, Susan Newell & her husband Paul of Westmont, NJ, and Robert & his wife Terry of Dracut. Brother of James Shannon & his wife Theresa of Medford and the late Teresa Delaney & her husband Edward Delaney of Burlington. Brother-in-law of Marie Gill & her husband Andrew of Stoneham and Rita Butler of Charlestown & her husband, the late Warren “Bucky” Butler. Loving grandfather of 15 and great grandfather of 5. Grandfather of the late Shannon Newell. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, Dec. 31 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday, Dec. 30, 1-5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to GRECC Program-Unit 62 CD, Bedford VA Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.