Thomas D. Shannahan, 70, a former Bethlehem resident and school board president, died yesterday at Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Born in Sparrow's Point, Md., he was a son of the late John H. K. and Beulah Day Shannahan.

He was the husband of Mrs. Dorothy K. Shannahan. His first wife, Mrs. Mary McKee Shannahan, died in May, 1967.

Mr. Shannahan graduated from Western Maryland College in 1925 and went to work that same year for the Bethlehem Steel Corp. in the metallurgical department.

He later worked in the sales department until his retirement in 1966.

While living in Bethlehem he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served on the board of trustees and the session. He also was elected to the Bethlehem Area School Board and served as president. He was a Bethlehem resident for 42 years.

Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Molly Taylor of Carmel, Indiana; a son, Thomas D. Jr. of Bethlehem; two sisters, Elizabeth McShane and Katherine Roberts, both of Baltimore, Md.; and a brother, John H. K. of Summit, N.J. and four grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the First Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society.


TDS obit. "Bethlehen Globe Times" ?




My father, Tuck, as he was known to the Sparrow's Point folks, was a very kind, gentle, man of absolute integrity, respected in his church, his community, his place of work, and especially by his family. He seldom raised his voice or was unfair in his decisions, and rarely let a chance pass by to do a favor for anyone. He believed in giving back something to the community in which he lived. He served as president of the school board, and was also an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. His home was his castle. He adored my mother, and made many sacrifices for my brother and me, and also for the values he believed in. He had many hobbies, among them photography, woodworking, and restoring antique cars. Every Christmas my brother and I would wait at the top of the stairs, bouncing around like impatient kangaroos, while Dad set up his flood lights and got the movie camera ready. It was always worth it later, because we all loved to sit around and watch the home movies. Dad had a small bald spot at the back of his head that would show up in pictures. He would always laugh and say, "No, that ís just a reflection shining on my hair!"

Molly Taylor