In April 2025, Thomas Edward Shannon died peacefully in his favorite chair at home watching a Final Four game with his wife Joan of 66 years.
Tom was raised in Irvington, New Jersey, and graduated from Seton Hall Prep and Seton Hall University. After graduating, Tom married Joan Meyer, also of Irvington, and entered as an officer into the United States Army. He served in Fort Lewis, Washington, and Bamberg, Germany.
Back home, he pursued a career in education, teaching Math at Irvington High School and Myrtle Ave. JHS for over thirty years.
I had Mr. Shannon for Albebra I at Myrtle. I was not a very good math student (hence becoming an English teacher) and I received a “D” in the class. I decided to go to summer school to try to raise the grade so it would look decent for college admissions. Guess who my teacher was that summer at IHS? yes, Mr. Shannon. I felt doomed. But he was very patient with me and all of us struggling with “finding X” and the second time around it made sense. I got an “A” and he averaged my final grade to a “B.”
After retirement, Tom and Joan enjoyed many trips throughout the United States and Europe. Tom especially loved vacationing in Manasquan with his family, his brothers, and their wives.
Irvington High School Class of 1971 