Daniel J. Shannon

Daniel J. Shannon of Lake Barrington passed away July 6, 2020. Daniel “Dan” James Shannon was born on Chicago’s South Side on August 15, 1933 to Peter and Marion Shannon. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Kathryn “Kitty” Shannon; children, Maureen (Scott) Forster, Colleen (Glen) Svenningsen, Mary Ellen (Scott) Moncrieff, and Gerard (Lisa) Shannon; grandchildren, Kelly (Brian), Glen, Amy, Daniel, Kara, Carly, Erin, Scotty, AnneMarie, and John; and sister, Donna (late John) Mulchrone.  He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel; daughter, Nancy; five siblings, and his parents.

Dan was the son of an Irish immigrant who established a lucrative accounting practice. He attended Mt. Carmel High School and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1955 with a degree in accounting. At Notre Dame, Dan played football and was an Academic, All-American defensive end as well as the co-captain of Notre Dame’s 1954 football team that went 9-1. Dan was drafted by the Chicago Bears but instead he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps by getting his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years where he achieved the title of captain.

Dan’s business career consisted of much more than your standard CPA desk job. From 1969 to 1973, Dan was elected as president of the Chicago Park District. During this time, Dan, alongside five other good willed and forward-thinking individuals, including Anne Burke and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, assisted with establishing the Special Olympics. The very first Special Olympics event occurred in July of 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago and has since inspired Special Olympic events worldwide. Dan’s influence during this time helped to shape an essential part of modern day history for individuals with disabilities.

Throughout his life, Dan was also highly involved with various civic organizations in Chicago. He served on the board for Misericordia in Chicago which is a non-for-profit home for people with mild to profound developmental disabilities. He was also an active board member at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago.

While Dan accomplished many incredible achievements in his lifetime, he often joked that his greatest accomplishment was marrying his middle school sweetheart, Kathryn “Kitty” Shannon. They went on to have 6 beautiful children, Maureen, Colleen, Danny, Mary Ellen, Gerard and Nancy. Dan was a family man who always had the biggest, brightest smile on his face when he was the presence of his loved ones. Dan’s hard, football-groomed exterior did not quite match his soft and sweet inner soul. Dan will be remembered as a kind-loving, generous, and caring husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend by all. He was truly an incredible person who put a profound, positive impact on the world for so many people. He will be deeply missed but the memories of him will continue to make us all smile.

Visitation will be 9am until 10am Friday July 10 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 941 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 410 N. First Street, Cary.  Burial will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery.  Church will accommodate up to 100 attendees, please call the funeral home if you are planning to attend the mass. 847-550-4221.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Misericordia, www.misericordia.com