Obituary of Tim Shannon

Tim Shannon, age 66 of Millville, NJ, passed away on Sunday, January 29th. He was the son of the late Robert "Bob" and Jean (Griner) Shannon, born in Millville, NJ on November 30th, 1956.

Tim had an infectious laugh and personality that lit up any and every room. He brought joy, light and laughter wherever he went. He was a man that made everyone feel like somebody. His laugh and personality will continue to live on for years to come. Generous, funny, caring and loving is how Tim will be remembered. Tim was a true civil servant and was active member and a beacon of light within the Millville community.

Over the years, Tim volunteered to various youth programs, from the Holly City Midget Football League to the Millville Girls Softball League, and co-founder and coach of the Millville Tidal Wave. During his tenure as a girls' softball coach, he coached in the Babe Ruth World Series, which was hosted in Millville and coached various teams into championship play. He enjoyed spending time with his wife and girls at the various softball complexes throughout the East Coast.

In addition to youth sports, he spent many years in local politics serving on the Millville City Commission, known as the "Commissioner of Fun" and as a one term Mayor. During this time, he was instrumental in the downtown development of the arts district and the resurgence of the Levoy Theatre.

In addition to sports and politics, he was part of the group that had the Thunderbolt Club building, as we know it today, built. He served as Thunderbolt Club president and remained active in the club over the years. He bled orange and blue and one of his famous phrases was "once a bolt, always a bolt". He served on various golf tournament committees, including The Bill Reese Memorial and Thunderbolt/Trout tournament, and in his early years founded the March Madness golf tournament, which raised money for our local chapter of the Special Olympics.

Tim graduated with a degree in Recreation from Haywood Tech and worked as the Director of Recreation at the Recreation Center in Asheville, NC. He later obtained his Mortuary Science certification from Mercer County College. After mortuary school, Tim co-owned and worked at Rocap Shannon Memorial Funeral Home for over 30 years. Over the years Tim also worked for QBC in Millville as a sports announcer for local high school sports including wrestling, football, basketball and softball. During his time at QBC he also hosted All Star Sports Talk, a local television program that highlighted athletes in the tri-state area.

Tim was an avid golfer, although he would tell you he "wasn't very good". He also enjoyed watching sports, attending shows at the Levoy, partying with the best of them and spending with his family and beloved grandchildren. "Work Hard – Play Harder" was his motto and he certainly lived his life this way.

Tim's greatest pleasures were found in having fun and spending time with his family and the ones he loved.

Survivors include his wife, Leslie Shannon; daughters, Amie Shannon-Scott and McKenzie Somers; their spouses Erik Scott and Bob Somers; and four cherished grandchildren, who were also the "Loves of his life", Reagan "Reggie" Scott, Cooper Scott, Nora Jean Somers, and Robert James "RJ" Somers. He is also survived by three siblings, Robert Shannon (Eda), Victoria Taylor (Rich), and Tina Benishek (Bruce) and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held for Tim on Wednesday, February 1st from 4 pm – 8 pm and again on Thursday, February 2nd from 11am to 12pm with funeral services from 12pm to 1pm at Rocap Shannon Memorial Funeral Home, 24 N. 2nd St., Millville, NJ. The burial will be held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Saturday, February 4th at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Millville Girls Softball League.