Daniel J. "Lefty" O'Shaughnessy

Daniel J. "Lefty" O'Shaughnessy went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, in University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, Ohio, at the age of 77. Dan was born on July 28, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Patrick and Lillian O'Shaughnessy. He graduated from Benedictine High School in 1961 and was elected to the highest honor of "Mr. Benedictine." He played basketball and football for the Benedictine Bengals and later went on to coach both teams. He continued his education at Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) with a degree in business administration. After one year teaching at the former St. Stephen's High School in Cleveland, Dan returned in 1967 to join the staff at Benedictine High School, where he was a popular teacher and coach for 39 years until his retirement in 2006. During his time at Benedictine, he taught algebra, economics and business law. He also coached the basketball team for 19 seasons. He had the longest tenure and won more games than any coach in school history. Generations of Benedictine athletes first met Coach O'Shaughnessy, affectionately known as "Daddy O," as their coach for freshman football, a position he held from 1970 to 1994. Dan was exceptionally good at motivating the freshmen with his "enhanced" stories before games. An annual award, named the Coach Dan O'Shaughnessy Leadership Award, is given in his honor to the senior hockey player who demonstrates the qualities of leadership through hard work and an unselfish attitude both on and off the ice. Even after retirement, Dan continued his passion for Benedictine athletics and would frequently attend Benedictine sporting events. His love of sports was at all levels. He enjoyed spending his summers playing golf with his brothers and friends, and it was not uncommon to find him participating in a game of basketball in the driveway with his nieces and nephews. Dan was also a familiar face on the sidelines of sporting events to cheer on his great-nieces and -nephews. Dan was an exceptional uncle who has left his nieces and nephews with a legacy of family stories and memories that will never be forgotten. He spoke highly of the Benedictine High School faculty, coaches and students, whom he considered an extended part of his family. Above all, Dan was a loyal son and brother who spent a lifetime loving and caring for them. He was a man of God and practiced his Catholic faith all of his life. Dan is survived by nephew John (wife Tiffany) Rodgers, of Virginia; niece Terri O'Shaughnessy, of Arizona; nephew Daniel (wife Denise) O'Shaughnessy, of Champion, Ohio; niece Kathleen (husband Greg) Bronson, of Howland, Ohio; nephew Michael (wife Shyan) O'Shaughnessy, of Minnesota; and nephew Patrick (wife Priti) O'Shaughnessy, of California; several great-nieces and -nephews; and an extensive Benedictine family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick and Lillian; brother James; sister Kathleen Rodgers; and brother Patrick. Given the current restrictions on gatherings, a private burial will be held with family at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio, and a memorial Mass will take place at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Benedictine High School, 2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Cleveland, OH 44104 or to St. Andrew Abbey, 10510 Buckeye Rd., Cleveland, OH 44104. The family would like to thank the staff of Champion Estates Assisted Living and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for their care and dedication and the Benedictine community for continuously demonstrating unconditional love and support.