Richard "Rick" Martin Shannon

Richard "Rick" Martin Shannon (1953-2024)

Richard Martin Shannon, age 70, passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2024 surrounded by his wife and children, after suffering a short illness. He is preceded in death by his father, W. Richard Shannon and his best companion Moose “Lucy”. Rick is survived by his wife Susan, his “Suzy”; mother Sally Shannon; son Eric (Melissa), grandchildren Connor and Hailey Shannon; Sue’s daughter Sarah Nelson (Jesse); siblings Susan Bush (Greg), Mark (Cindy), Doug (Connie) and Curt (Jessica) Shannon; his many nieces and nephews, as well as his extended Hokkala family and friends.

Rick was born on July 17th, 1953 in Greenville, PA. He grew up in Jamestown, PA with his parents and 4 younger siblings. While living next door to the home where he was raised, Rick and his first wife Arlene welcomed their son Eric in 1980. Eric was Rick's best friend, his sidekick, his “Bud”. Rick spent the first 50 years of his life in Jamestown, where he followed in his father’s footsteps in the coating manufacturing industry. He began at Jamestown Paint & Coatings as a Sandmill Operator. Rick held many positions and advanced his career in the company to Vice President and Technical Services Manager. In 2004 Rick accepted a role at Valspar Paint which brought him to Minnesota where he met Sue a few years later. In 2010, Rick joined Cortec Corporation where he eventually retired as a Coatings Chemist and Technical Services Manager. During his career, he had the privilege of traveling to amazing places around the world. Rick was a hard working and dedicated employee, who really enjoyed the work he did, earning the respect and friendship of so many in his niche industry.

Rick had many hobbies which included fishing, even making his own rods. He found pleasure in traveling with Sue, seeking warm temperatures with ocean views. Rick loved collecting guns which he used for hunting and sporting clays. Sunday morning “Mass” at Wild Marsh Sporting Clays was his happy place. He also enjoyed woodworking and golf. Rick and Sue lived in Blaine, and also in South Haven where they joined in building a family lake home from the ground up. Learning many skills along the way, Rick was proud of what they had created together. Here is where they spent most of their free time. Rick loved being on the water in his fishing boat, or could happily spend hours tinkering in his pole barn. Rick and Sue got married at the lake home in August, 2021. Both feeling blessed to have found each other later in life.

Rick was a quiet man with great integrity. He was reliable and always there for those who needed him. Rick’s caring, steadfast nature will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to know and love him. If you knew Rick well, you will not be surprised that his wishes were for no public memorial. His life will be celebrated by his family both at their lake home and at his childhood home in Jamestown.