Christopher “Chris” Shannon

March 30, 1946 – June 5, 2025

Chris Shannon passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, at Fallbrook Woods in Maine, surrounded by love, laughter, and the echoes of a life joyfully lived.

Born on March 30, 1946, Chris grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts, graduating from Stoneham High School in the Class of 1964 and Salem State College in 1970. Chris lived a life full of character and unforgettable moments. He met the love of his life, Jill, on a blind date on October 25, 1974 and raised a family in Rochester, New Hampshire and together they shared 45 incredible years of marriage.

He spent 79 summers at Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine, a place that held his heart with forever friendships. He called Sugarloaf his winter home since 1977. As their family grew, their passion for skiing was easily passed to their sons, Dane and Brent. A three and a half hour trip to Sugarloaf every weekend was a small obstacle if it meant lasting memories for them. As the proud camp owner of the “Sugarplum,” in Carrabassett Valley, he famously endured frozen pipes, luckily, only 12 times - each story retold with his trademark humor.

Chris was the loving father of Dane Shannon and his wife Caitlin, and Brent Shannon and his wife Sara. He was a proud and playful grandfather to Maddie and Kate, often asking “Who do you love?” The response was always “Papa!” and “Papa loves you!” His circle extended to Clem and Ira, Billy Gerard, and Wayne Hartford, among many others who felt the warmth of his kindness and humor.

Chris started his career as a teacher and then transitioned his gift of gab and genuine personality to a long and fulfilling career in sales at Thompson Investment Castings in Rochester, NH for over 30 years.

Those who knew Chris will remember his big mustache, legendary handshake, charming smile, and contagious laugh. He had a knack for bringing people together - whether it was Elvis karaoke, telling (and re-telling) his favorite one liners and jokes, hiding Rolling Rock bottle caps for friends to find, or crowning himself "Mayor” on cruises. He’d ask, “Are you wit me or no?” and you always knew you were. As the lead singer of Sensuous Shannon and the Voluptuous Vultures, the music may have been screaming, but at least the times were “good though.” As we all discovered, “it was all part of being cool.”

As a dad, he showed up. He never missed a baseball game, track meet, or ski race, rain or shine. No matter how far the drive or how cold it was, he was always at the finish line, whistling the loudest for his boys. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and storyteller, Chris Shannon left behind a legacy of joy, eccentric charm, and a community full of laughter and love.

A celebration of Chris’s life will be planned at a future date, full of Rolling Rocks, oreos, laughter and chronicles of his life well lived.

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