Obituary of Gerard "Jerry" Joseph Shanahan

Gerard Joseph (Jerry) Shanahan was born on October 27, 1946, in Peterborough, ON to Sally Shanahan, nee Aldred and Gerard Joseph Shanahan. They loved him very much and raised him to value helping others and his community. He is survived by Maureen Fleming his wife of 30 years. She was his friend, devoted life partner, and selfless supporter in his long battle with cancer, to which he succumbed on Thursday, March 27th. He passed peacefully in his home with his loving wife Maureen by his side. He is also survived by his three children: his son Grayson and fiancée Anna; Matthew and his wife Katie along with their two daughters Keeghan and Eirinn; and his darling daughter, Lauren. His wife Maureen, children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. During his life he won high school football championships, officiated and managed the Canadian Olympic rowing team in the 1976 and 1984 games, as a city official managed all St Catharines senior programs, pools, community centres, day camps and marinas, ran for city council and mayor, ran a successful business, and devoted thousands upon thousands of hours to coaching minor hockey and rowing. His civic spirit, gift of the gab, warm heart, and true friendship touched all those who met him. The many people who surrounded Jerry in the final years of his illness gave him the support he needed to confound doctors with his stubborn tenacity, and to maintain his time here on earth with them. He loved them all, and he knows they loved him. Jerry was a proud Mason, and Past Worshipful Master, lover of life, a good joke, a witty word, a supporter of the less fortunate, a real life Santa and a friend indeed when there was a need. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses, and to all those who supported Jerry through his struggle, and for the special care and friendship of Barb Simmon. A gathering will be held at the Pow Wow restaurant at 165 St. Paul St. St. Catharines, Sunday, April 6 between 1 pm and 4 pm. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a random act of kindness in his name. Arrangements entrusted to the George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St, St Catharines. Not just in his own words, Jerry was a real good guy. With his health he was unlucky, but with his devoted wife, family and friends, he was a lucky man in every way.