MEDWAY: Robert Franklin Shannon

After a life well lived, Robert “Bob” Franklin Shannon, 92, of Medway, and a lifelong resident of Milford, passed away peacefully, after courageously living with a failing heart. He was the son of the late Martin H. Shannon and Lillian B. Balcom of Medway.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, Lois A. Shannon (Desantis), 90, to whom he was devoted and lovingly married to for 70 years, and their daughter, Laurie A. Shannon Peaslee, 63, of Westborough; and his siblings, Richard C. Shannon, 78, and Alice (Shannon) Tingley, 79, of Medway. He is survived by his son-in-law, William Peaslee, who has cared for him and Lois since the loss of their daughter. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Bob was a three-time honorably discharged veteran. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard, then in the United States Army Reserve, where he was stationed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In 1957, he was transferred to the 551st in Munich, Germany.

Before his retirement, Bob was a head custodian for the Millis Public School system and then a Bus driver in the same system for many years after. Earlier in Bob’s life, he worked as a cook and would continue to love cooking throughout his life. He was also an ardent gardener and enjoyed sharing the bounty of produce he grew each season. Bob and Lois were lifelong 10-pin bowlers who traveled across the United States for decades, competing in national tournaments. He enjoyed and would often talk about the many exotic trips they went on with their daughter and son-in-law.

Anyone who spent time with Bob came to care for him. He made friends everywhere he went and will be long remembered and dearly missed.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, May 30th at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford, MA. A reception will follow at Bob and Lois’s house in Milford. Bob loved flowers, but he also loved animals, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Milford Humane Society. https://www.milfordhumane.org/