The Honorable John H. Shannon

The Honorable John H. Shannon, age 89 retired Probate Judge for the Town of Fairfield and beloved husband of the late Rita Jane Shannon passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Cambridge Manor, Fairfield. Born in Bridgeport, the son of the late Governor of Connecticut James C. Shannon and Helen Shannon, John was a Fairfield resident for most of his life. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Connecticut Law School, John passed the Bar Exam six months prior to graduation and joined his father's law practice at Shannon, Wilder and Pitt. He was a member of the first four year graduating class of Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1945. He was proud to have his earned Varsity Letter in his senior year on the Prep Football Team playing alongside his lifelong friend Jack Neary. He also loved the annual Latin Scholar luncheon. John was inducted into the Fairfield Prep Hall of Fame in 1989. John continued to practice law until his retirement in 1994 and was Fairfield's Probate Judge from 1979 to 1994. He was a member of the American, Connecticut, Bridgeport and Fairfield Bar Associations. He served as a Trial Referee in Bridgeport Superior Court and was a member of the Connecticut Probate Assembly and the National Council of Probate Judges. Serving in the Connecticut State Senate from 1957-1958, John was the Fairfield Republican Town Committee Treasurer for seven years. John gave back to his community, serving on the advisory boards at Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Oak Lawn Cemetery and the Fairfield Kiwanis Club. He was also a Trustee of Fairfield Country Day School. As an early organizer of Fairfield FISH, a group committed to assisting the elderly, John continued his commitment to those in need. He was also an early organizer of the McGivney Center alongside his Prep classmate Father Joe Potter. He was also a supporter of the Kennedy Center. Memberships included the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the Greenfield Hill Grange, the Sacred Heart Pioneer Club, the Brooklawn Country Club and the Algonquin Club. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Past Commodore of the Black Rock Yacht Club. A former parishioner of St. Pius X Church, John was currently a parishioner at Holy Family Church. From 1994 to 2004, John and Rita resided in Naples Florida where they were members of the Moorings Beach Club and St. Williams R.C. Church. The highlight of John's retirement was the time he was able to spend with his six cherished grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his four loving children, Barbara J. Shannon of Bellows Falls, VT, Susan E. Regan of Fairfield, Elizabeth S. Frassinelli and her husband David of Newtown and John W. Shannon and his wife Jodie of Trumbull; six loving grandchildren, Kealy Chipman, Paul Ryan Chipman, Emily Regan, Jack, Jane and Jordan Shannon; a brother, James C, Shannon, Jr. of Lowell MA and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Claire Richards, a sister-in-law, Peggy Shannon and a son-in-law, Kevin W. Regan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may greet the family Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be made to the Latin Scholars Fund or the Ryan C. Brennan Memorial Scholarship care of Fairfield Prep, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com