Fort Myers, FL-Robert Joel Shannon, 69, born November 12th, 1938, in Worcester, MA passed away on June 6th, 2008 in Fort Myers, FL, his home since 1994.
He is survived by his former wife, Patricia Bovenzi and their three children, Deborah, Robert, and Pamela. He also leaves behind his love and life partner Donna Martin. He has 9 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren (with one on the way). His surviving brothers and sisters are Helen Moore, Harriet Flynn, Mary Sullivan, and James E. Shannon II who all reside in the greater Worcester area.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Worcester Community College, and attended IBM Executive Program at Colgate University. He served his county honorably in the U.S. Air Force from July 1956 to 1960. While working at Hodes Market from 1960 to 1961, he earned his Engineering Degree. He joined IBM in Worcester in July 1963, as a repair technician and worked in CT, NJ, NY, KY and CA. During his tenure with IBM he held various positions from field technical representative, management positions and culminated as a manager of Storage Systems Solutions when he retired in August, 1992.
His motto for life was “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, WOO HOO, what a ride.”
The funeral is Tuesday, June 10th with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Mary’s Church, 17 Waterville Street., North Grafton. Calling hours are Monday, June 9th from 5:00 until 8:00 PM in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester.