V. Thomas "Tom" Shanahan

1925 - 2014

Shanahan, V. Thomas "Tom" Died March 10, 2014, at the age of 89. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeanne (nee Raddatz), and sons Timothy and Michael. Dear father of Kathleen Rivera (Sally Lewis), Connee (William) Freeman and Terrance Shanahan. Loving grandfather of Christopher Rivera, Patrick (Trisha) Freeman, Andrew Freeman and Timothy Shanahan. Also survived by great-grandchildren Phoebe, Hattie and Ford Freeman; faithful friends Gil and Mary (O'Brien) Rivera, Elaine Novotny Peterson, Bertrand and Edith Poissonnier and Edward Kelly; brother-in-law Charles (Janet) Raddatz; sister-in-law Mary Lou Shanahan; nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends. Tom was born in Milwaukee on February 13, 1925 to Elmer and Julia O'Connor Shanahan. He attended Hi-Mount School, Steuben Junior High and Washington High School. From boyhood on Tom was interested in radio broadcasting and while still in high school he began working at Radio Station WEMP in Milwaukee. After graduating high school Tom joined the United States Army. Tom and Jeanne were married on April 12, 1945. After the war Tom resumed what was to become a life long career in broadcasting. He was a well-known radio personality on WEMP-AM in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, hosting his popular Club 60 and Gaslight Club programs. He teamed with Mickey Heath and Earl Gillespie to broadcast the old Milwaukee Brewers (AAA baseball) games from Borchert Field. When major league baseball came to Milwaukee in 1953 Tom assembled the first Milwaukee Braves broadcast network and hosted a pre-game show called Dugout Doings. Tom spent 35 years at WEMP as DJ, Promotions Manager and Program Director. He was also involved in sales for WRIT-AM and WITI-TV. He was Sales Manager for WCUB-AM in Manitowoc and WHBL/WTKF in Sheboygan. In the final years of his career he was at WTKM-AM/FM in Hartford, WI where he continued to broadcast his Club 60 show on weekday mornings. In 2003 Tom was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Tom retired from broadcasting in 2009 at the age of 84. Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had a quick wit and terrific sense of humor. He always had a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face, a song in his heart and a joke at the ready. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 3, at LUTHER MANOR FAITH AND EDUCATION CENTER, 4545 N. 92 St., Wauwatosa (enter driveway along north side of the property). Visitation from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Luther Manor Foundation, 4545 N. 92nd Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53225.