Some of my very best memories of Mike and his family take place at the house on Byberry Rd. We would entertain Big Ma with our goofy interpretive version of a West Side Story dance routine----which she seemed to enjoy immensely. Mike and I painted ceramic Zodiac plates in the basement there which were sold by the dozen by Betty Ann at Prudential. We made a fortune and spent a fortune at the local bars. He was godfather to my daughter Jessica. I fell out of touch with him in the latter years, but I never forgot him. He was a good friend. I should have been a better one. Rest easy Lieutenant.

Bob Flynn

Goodbye Mike

Mike will not be remembered by his friends as an academic wizard or athletic stand-out but respected. even feared for some reason for a toughness that no one ever saw. He was the envy of most of us. He didn’t have to fight anyone. No one dared bully him or call him out. It was the way he carried himself. Because really he wasn’t all that big; a bit tall but skinny. But he projected an image, an image of the tall big guy grinning, holding a little wiper-snapper at arms length while the little one is swinging wildly

There was a natural teenage peaking order when we were growing up; from Lacey Park to Huntington Valley, Mike was the only one I knew that stood outside and above it; perhaps even grinning at it with his well honed, smirking sense of humor.

He was a relaxed dude. Everyone liked him. Everyone respected him. Unlike the rest of us, Mike never had to prove himself. With his confident, understated, relaxed nature he seemed to know himself better then others.

Mike’s kids acquired much from him. Maureen has her dad’s bravery, cutting her own path from an early age thru life. Michael, secure with his dad’s laid-back nature, knowing that enough is all you really need in life.

Mike introduced his family to all of his friends. Or maybe Mike’s family was so open-hearted that they embraced all of his friends. From Rita and Peg to Mary Ann and Ray, the Shannon’s seemed to have a family creed to be welcoming and authentic.

Mike was a reluctant leader. I’m sure he did some heroic deeds while in Viet Nam. I’m certain he joined the Special Forces looking for people of his own character that he had difficulty finding in life. People were surprised that these qualities didn’t translate into more financial success after returning home. But the rat race wasn’t for him. Perhaps he learned his life lessons early. And perhaps the joy of being lazy was one of them. What most thought necessary, Mike didn’t. He truly was a person who stood alone. Good natured, never mean, even keeled, well liked, easy to love. I’ll always envy him.

A friends thoughts...

Very sad news! He was a wonderful, fun loving guy! Always nice, kind, and appreciative of all of his friends and acquaintances. He never mentioned his service in Vietnam. He did things for our country that were never rewarded or even acknowledged. The world needs more men like Mike! What a loss!