William J. Shanahan

William James Shanahan, 74, passed away peacefully February 27, 2013, surrounded by family in California. He was born August 22, 1938 in Somerville, MA.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in law, uncle and friend.

Over the years he taught at Goffstown High School, the Villa Augustina and in the Auburn School District. He was active in NEA-New Hampshire, where he served as president for four years. In 1986, he and his family moved to California where he continued his work with teachers' unions as the CTA executive director of the Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Orange Unified Education Associations.

He was a very active member in the Xaverian Brother community. He recently became reacquainted with many of his brothers and enjoyed visiting and reminiscing about their years at Xaverian College and Catholic University.

After his retirement, Bill enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, reading, and nature photography. He and his son, Timothy traveled across the United States multiple times in his motor home.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, James William and Joanne Shanahan Hawkes and birth parents Paul Francis and Doris Noonan Shanahan. He was also preceded in death by his son, Patrick Liam Shanahan and his brothers, Kevin M. Hawkes, Paul F. Hawkes, and Robert Dedrick.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Dr. Therese Boulanger Shanahan; a son, Timothy Christian Shanahan; a daughter, Meaghan Marie Shanahan, MD and fiancé, Matthew Halfar, MD; a grandson, Patrick Ryan Halfar; a brother, James Hawkes and his wife, RoseAnn; six sisters, Mary Czaja and her husband, John, Christine Miller and her husband, Leon, Joanne Rumrill and her husband, Mert, Martha Lessard and her husband, Craig, Janice Byford and her fiancé, Bob, and Linda Savage and her husband, Bill; two sisters in law, Susan Cote and her husband, Don, and Louise J. Boulanger; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at St. Lawrence Church, 1 E Union St., Goffstown. Burial will be at Westlawn Cemetery in Goffstown in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in William's name to either Autism Speaks at 1060 State Rd 2nd Fl., Princeton, NJ, 08540 (www.autismspeaks.org/), or Save the Whales at 1192 Waring Street, Seaside, CA, 93955.