Obituary of Richard Shannon

Richard Shannon, 75, passed away Sunday at his home at Allen Heights with his loving family at his side. He was born January 28, 1931, in Schenectady, New York; he moved to Sharon Springs in the 40?s. Dick was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War. He was first employed as a projectionist for Smalley?s Shines & Kallet Theatre?s throughout the Mohawk Valley. He then worked for the Palatine Die Company and later was employed as a canal helper on Lock 16 in Mindenville. In 1959 he went to work for the Village of St. Johnsville as a laborer an eventually as the caretaker of the St. Johnsville Cemetery retiring in 1987. Dick joined the St. Johnsville Volunteer Fire Company # 220 on May 26, 1958. He was the Captain of the Company from 1960-63, the Second Assistant Chief from 1963-64 and the First Assistant Chief from 1964-65. He was also a member of the Harry Smith Benefit Club and the Hilltop Fire Department Social Club. He received the Mac Looman Award from the Hilltop Fire Department. Dick enjoyed spending time at the Harry Smith Benefit Club with his friends. On September 27, 1953, he married the former Shirley Potter. Besides his wife survivors include a daughter, Melody H. Congdon and her husband Randy of St. Johnsville; three grandchildren, Heather Shannon Reed, Ashley Marie Reed and Genna Lynn Congdon; a sister- in- law, Leora Potter of St. Johnsville; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 32 Main Street, St. Johnsville with the Rev. David Plank officiating. Interment will take place in St. Johnsville Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in Dick?s memory to the Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.