Gordon Shannon

Gordon James Shannon, MD, passed away peacefully Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, surrounded by his family. Dr. Shannon was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., on Oct. 6, 1931, to the late James and Marian Polly Shannon. Gordon served proudly in the Navy and Coast Guard from 1948-1955 attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Following his honorable discharge, he graduated from the University of Florida, and the University of Miami, School of Medicine. He was a family doctor in Blissfield, Mich., for a number of years before taking his residency in Surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. He continued his training and specialized in Cardio/Thoracic surgery. Dr. Shannon was committed to providing quality medical care for those who had served their country, practicing and teaching in the Veteran's Administration Medical System and retiring as Chief of Staff at the VAMC in Salisbury, N.C. Dr. Shannon loved music and played many instruments. He was a private pilot and flew his family on many wonderful adventures. He retired to Marathon, Fla., where he owned and operated Terra Marine Mobile Home Park, which was established in 1953 by his mother and stepfather, Marian and Donald Counihann. He continued enjoying boating and fishing. In later years you could see him driving his red scooter to the marina and grocery stores with his yellow labs, Bubba, then Marley, and occasionally stopping to play his harmonica. Dr. Shannon was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Jean. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; eight children, Gail, Glen, Craig, Linda, Wayne, Judy, Gordy and Jill; and grandchildren Michael, Stella, Isadora, Ingrid, Kian, Kaveh, Laleh, Sierra, Canyon, Miles, Brady, Ava and Cora. Arrangements: Gordon will be buried at the National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Fla., Tuesday, Sept. 8. There will be an informal Celebration of his Life at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7 at Terra Marine Park, 502 24th St. Ocean, Marathon, Fla. Memorials may be sent to the Monroe County, Fla., EMS service. If given the opportunity, please donate blood.