James Shannon

James Shannon, 95, of Medford passed away on May 23rd surrounded by the love of his family. He was predeceased by his loving wife, best friend and soul mate, Theresa (Burke) Shannon, with whom he shared almost 70 years of marriage. Up until Theresa's passing last August they were inseparable. Jim is
survived by his children who he loved and was very proud of.

He leaves his son Tom and his wife Karen, his son Jimmy, his daughter Mary Ellen, his son Will and his late wife Kathy, his son Pat and his wife Teresa and his son Paul and his wife Cathy.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Colleen Shannon,Chris Shannon, Tiffany Crowell and her husband Wayne, Shannon Cole and her husband Seth, Rebecca Carey and her significant other Mark , Emily van Herp and her husband Kris, Caitlin Beaudet and her husband Craig, Pat Shannon and his wife Jackie, Brendan Shannon and his fiancée Brooke Quinn, Jack Shannon, Kevin Shannon, Dan Shannon and his fiancée Bridget Leahy, Kelly Shannon and Jennifer Shannon.

Jim also is survived by his great grandchildren Lucas and Sam Crowell; James, Emma and Finn Cole; Emary Carey; Kiera and Riley van Herp; and Blake Beaudet. Jim was the proud son of the Late Thomas and Margaret Shannon of Somerville and Ireland and the brother of the late Thomas Shannon and Teresa Delaney. Jim loved all of his nieces and nephews and all of the friends he made along the way.


Jim lived a long and fulfilling life. He proudly served his country as a Navy Corpsman stationed in Europe during World War II. Jim was a crew member of LST 230 during the invasion of Normandy making 8 trips back and forth through the English Channel transporting soldiers to the beaches of France and treating the wounded on their journeys back to England. He also was part of other naval operations in Southern France, Italy and Africa.

After the Navy Jim joined the Somerville Fire Department where he had a 31- year career manning the Fire Department ambulance for much of that time. He was always doing what he could to help others in need.

Jim's greatest and proudest moments revolved around his family. He deeply loved his wife Theresa. They had a wonderful life together raising their six children. They showed everyone around them what true love and devotion means. They loved having their family together and presided over the last 58 family Thanksgiving and Christmas gathering in their house in Medford.

As the house got more crowded with each new grandchild and great grandchild their happiness grew. Jim loved to talk about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren to anyone who would listen. He would go to his grandchildren's soccer, hockey and basketball games and let everyone know that his grandchild was the best player on the team. As proud as he was of his family, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all held great admiration for him. They were all very proud to be able to call him Dad or Grampy and they will miss him very dearly.

Because of the Covid situation, services will be small and private. The family hopes to be able to celebrate Jim's life in a more public way at some time in the future when it is appropriate. Jim would want everyone to stay safe and healthy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society