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Goodwin Funeral Home

607 Chestnut Street

Manchester, New Hampshire

JAMES SHANAHAN Obituary

SHANAHAN, James A., Jr. Lifelong resident of Manchester, NH, passed away on February 27, 2013 in Naples, FL where he and his late wife Judy wintered for over 25 years. He was 86. Jim was born on March 18, 1926 in Manchester, the son of the late James A. Shanahan Sr. and Clara Slattery Shanahan. He graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1943 and then attended Dartmouth College where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Dragon Senior Honor Society. His college years were interrupted by his service in the US Army during World War II and he served in the 35th Infantry Division. Jim fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he was wounded, was awarded a Purple Heart medal, and subsequently returned to the front and was part of the closest US Army division to Berlin when peace was declared in Europe. After graduating from college in 1948, he attended Boston University School of Law where he received a law degree in 1951. Jim returned to Man- chester after law school where he earned his Certified Public Accountant certification and joined his father's accounting firm which eventually became part of Deloitte & Touche. He was the Managing Partner of Manchester's Deloitte & Touche office for many years before his retirement in 1988. A man of great integrity, intelligence, and wisdom, Jim was frequently sought out for his advice and counsel as a businessman, mentor, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. As a CPA and attorney, his professional and civic accomplishments touched almost every aspect of Man- chester life. Jim was passionate about politics and very active in the Democratic Party. He offered his financial expertise to national, state, and local campaigns, and was a Delegate for the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Jim was an ardent Red Sox fan, a season-ticket holder for both spring-training and regular-season games. A loyal Dartmouth alumna, he attended at least one football game in each of the last 79 years, except for one "bogey" while he served his country during World War II. He was an avid tennis player and also enjoyed combining his love of history with worldwide travel with his wife Judy. In his retirement, he cultivated an extensive sports memorabilia collection. As a community and professional leader, he served in many capacities throughout his life: President of the NH Society of CPAs, the NH Chapter of the National Association of Accountants and the Manchester Historic Association; Chairman of the NH Board of Accountancy and the City of Manchester Trust Funds; member of the Manchester NH Housing Authority and the NH Bar Association; Director of Merchant's National Bank, First Bancorp of NH, and the United Way of Manchester; Commissioner of the Manchester Police Department, the NH Lottery Commission, and the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority; Finance Committee Member of Catholic Medical Center; Trustee of The Derryfield School, Franklin Pierce College, the McIninch Foundation and the Norwin and Elizabeth Bean Foundation; and Tour Guide of the Currier Museum of Art's Frank Lloyd Wright Zimmerman House. Jim is survived by his four children, James A. Shanahan III of Manchester, Gay E. Shanahan and her husband James Goldenberg of Duxbury, MA, Thomas G. Shanahan and his wife Susan Stacy of Barnstable, MA, and Elizabeth A. Shanahan and her partner Alexander Zale of Bozeman, MT. He also leaves ten grandchildren: Peter, Brett, Aidan, Angela, Regina, S. Gray, Samuel, Lilian, Tevis, and Yulissa. He had two sisters, Jane S. Anderson of Hamden, CT and the late Patricia S. Jordan of Friendship, ME. Jim's life was a series of well hit baseballs-his influence was steady and incremental, but he made the plays that make the difference. Visiting hours will be from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Goodwin Funeral Home, 607 Chestnut Street, MANCHESTER, NH, on Monday, March 4, 2013. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, 207 Hemlock St., Manchester, NH on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Bedford, NH will follow a gathering after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the General Fund or the William Green Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation, 37 Pleasant Street., Concord, NH 03301.Pleasevisit: www.goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook. Goodwin Funeral Home 607 Chestnut Street Manchester, NH 03104 603.625.5703

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for JAMES SHANAHAN

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Kelly

March 20, 2013

James shanahan had a heart of gold. He would spend hours teaching me about the history of Manchester and baseball. James encouraged me to go back to school which is something i am very grateful for.

Kelly

March 20, 2013

James shanahan had a heart of gold. He would spend hours teaching me about the history of Manchester and baseball. James encouraged me to go back to school which is something i am very grateful for.

March 6, 2013

We look back on our time with Jim and Judy in Naples with great fondness. We will miss our good friend and neighbor.

Larry and Ann Green

Lisa Genty

March 5, 2013

Mr. Shanahan was an extremely kind and accomplished man of unequalled integrity and generosity. He devoted his life to making the world a better place.
I will forever remember how welcomed we always felt with him, and Judy, and their ever-growing family, and their generosity in accommodating us when we traveled to visit from our home in Colorado. At his own son's wedding he graciously picked up our lodging tab at the Cape. We were a young family just starting out, and so it was even more appreciated than he ever knew. Of course, this pales by comparison to the countless acts of generosity he was known for, but that week is one I will always remember because of the way he and his AMAZING family made us feel so special, and also like a part of their family.
He brought to the world infinite goodness, but of everything he leaves us, I am forever grateful that he gave the world his daughter Gay Elizabeth, who is the best person I know. She embodies everything he stood for and believed in. She carries his goodness forward and onward, and will continue to forge ahead in making the world a better, and just, place.

Oh yes, and he can rest knowing that he raised such a fiery, steadfast, devoted Democrat to carry on for him. I know she will always make him proud.

Janet Magee

March 4, 2013

Jim was the personification of the word "integrity". He was the "father" I never had and the greatest boss. He will be dearly missed.

Jeannie Devine

March 4, 2013

I loved talking to your Dad. He took me seriously from the time I was very young. He was great man and he touched so many people. I will miss that smile.

Chris Kruczynski

March 4, 2013

Lovely write-up for a lovely man. God bless his family.

Mark Biggar

March 4, 2013

A wonderful man, I'm so glad I got to spend the time I did with him, Our sports conversation's were always something to look forward to and his advice was by far the best I've ever received, He will be missed.

God Bless, Mark.

Pamela Morin

March 3, 2013

Jim, Gay, Tom, & Liz, Our family (Mary Nelson's daughter Peg,& grand-daughter Pamela) is so sorry to learn of your dad's passing. We weren't aware your mum had passed. Our prayers are with all of you. Please take care of each other.

Ellie Cochran

March 3, 2013

Jim was a great mentor, friend and neighbor who always kept the community as a priority. A true gentleman, he will be missed.

Ellie and David Cochran

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