Raymond P. “Ray” Shanahan of Sherborn, formerly of Dover died on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at the Metrowest Medical Center of Natick. He was 85 years old and the beloved husband of Paula E. (Comiskey) Shanahan, whom he married in 1964 and enjoyed 49 years together.
Born in Boston on October 30, 1927, he was the son of the late Raymond and Catherine T. (Connors) Shanahan. Ray was raised in South Boston and was a graduate of Boston Public Schools. He served with the Army Occupation in Japan and, while in the service, was a member of the Army Baseball Team.
Ray was employed throughout his career in automobile sales. After several years with Sullivan Dodge & Arrow Pontiac, he founded and operated Ray Shanahan Pontiac in Randolph. He was also the general manager of a number of General Motors Dealerships. When the leasing of cars came along, Ray thought ahead and started a new company, Park Square Leasing and Finance in Boston. The leasing company soon became a full time business and it was there that he retired.
A longtime Dover resident, Ray had been involved in coaching Little League and played with the local men’s league and was the former president of the Boston Rotary Club. He enjoyed playing many card games, reading, and corresponding with friends on line during his retirement.
In addition to Paula, he is survived by two daughters, Paula E. D’Ercole of Norton and Elizabeth Ann MacDonald and her husband Ronald of Ashland; two sons, Raymond P. Shanahan of Framingham and James P. Shanahan & his wife Lisa of Sherborn; ten grandchildren, Jake, Monica, Christopher, Jillian, Jeannette, Allison, Stephen, Shane, Nicholas, and Layla; and a sister, Clare King and her husband Francis of West Hartford, CT. He was also the brother of the late Gerald Shanahan and Robert Shanahan.
His funeral will be held from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. at Natick Common on Tuesday, October 22nd at 8:45AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Most Precious Blood Church, 30 Centre St., Dover at 10:00AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Dover with Military Honors. Visiting hours Monday from 4:00-8:00PM.
Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02146. For directions, flowers or to sign the guest book, please visit www.everettfuneral.com