David Shanahan Obituary

Name: Visitation for David Shanahan
Start: 2021-04-17T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-04-17T18:00:00.000Z
Location: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH

Shanahan, David Patrick

CROSS PLAINS - David Patrick Shanahan, of Cross Plains, Wis., left this world on April 2, 2021, at the age of 41 while on a quest to expand his visual awareness of the world around him in Los Angeles, Calif. David was born on March 17, 1980, in Madison, Wis., to Michael and Christine (Adams) Shanahan.

David graduated from Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School in 1994 and then Middleton High School in 1998. He graduated from UW-La Crosse in 2004 with a B.S. in sports medicine, exercise fitness and nutrition. After a number of years in the field of athletic training, David returned to school at the University of Arizona to pursue his love and passion for photography, where he earned a B.A. in fine arts.

David did not have hobbies, as everything he did was a passion or quest, whether it be body building, music, reading or his beloved photography. David was a unique and beautiful man: part artist, part athlete, and part philosopher. Friends and family treasured him for his joyful wit, kindness, and thoughtful perspectives on the world around him. He was blessed with the ability to see and feel things from a special place, a talent that was reflected in his remarkable photography. Now he has moved on to a gentler place full of magnificent views and vistas to delight and expand his sense of vision.

David is survived by his parents, Michael and Christine Shanahan; big brother, John W. Shanahan (fiancée, Beth Lundberg); his very special niece, Lucy Mae Shanahan; grandparents, Kenneth and Violet Willis; as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins with whom he always shared a special bond, if not enough time together. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Lucille Shanahan; grandfather, John M. Adams; uncles, Michael L. Adams Sr. and Jeffrey Shanahan; and cousin, Justin L. Adams.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, 2021, with Father Scott Jablonski officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. Friends and family wishing to attend the Mass via LIVE STREAM may do so by visiting David's obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and clicking the Live Webcast link on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Francis Xavier Endowment Fund or the St. Francis Orioles football team. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

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

Published by Madison.com on Apr. 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for David Shanahan

Sponsored by Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care - Middleton.

5 Entries

Erin

July 22, 2023

I hung out with Dave a few times in Madison and always left knowing something new about art or photography. He knew so much, and I don't think he always knew how much he had to offer the world.

I suddenly thought of him and am seeing this two years later. In my mind, it's very late on that summer night, and he's drawn the curtains with his beautiful graphite birds on them, and we're watching the Jeff Buckley dvd again and again.

Anne

April 5, 2023

Of course we haven´t forgotten about you Dave. We never will.

Ben Zwank

May 15, 2021

You were a great person. You were a people person and a fantastic photographer I think about you gone and it makes me cry. I hope in the energy we shared you can hear me. I always loved and believed in you. And I will always love you.

Anne Markofski (formerly Harvey)

April 15, 2021

Dear Dave´s family.......
I can´t imagine your grief. I am so sorry.
Dave was a friend of mine In high school and I have very fond memories of him. We used to have long phone chats about his cat with diabetes.... and other quirky strange wondering philosophical topics.....but ultimately we laughed a lot together.
He was fun and funny and sincere and intense and kind and I am so sad to hear of his passing.
Wish we hadn´t lost touch as we "grew up".
I trust that he is in the Good hands of his maker now and that one day- maybe even today- he will fully know as he is fully known.
God bless you all. And you Dave.
As you used to always say Dave- "it takes all kinds.... " and " times change...people change..."
Indeed it does and indeed they do. You were one of a kind and though things have changed, Gods love never will.