Dennis E Shanahan

Dennis Edward Shanahan was born on October 12, 1934 in Salix, Iowa. At the age of 77, he peacefully passed away on March 18, 2012 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia as result of a sudden brain aneurysm. Dennis was known as "Denny" to his friends and relatives and "Pops" to his grandchildren. Above all, Denny valued family, faith, and country. He was a devout husband to his wife of nearly 45 years and loving father to their four sons. Denny was a gregarious man whose greatest pleasure in life was to provide for and protect his family. A natural leader, he had a strong moral compass and basic instinct for right and wrong who made you feel that his guidance was strong and knowing. He projected an ever present masculine demeanor, with a booming voice that mellowed through the years. Denny had a calmness about him and brought levity to each situation, no matter how serious, which gave you a sense of confidence that things were not all that bad and no obstacle couldn’t be overcome. Denny was a very religious person and wasn’t troubled about the unknown. He had great faith in the Lord that made him deeply grateful for the blessings bestowed upon him. He was always cheerful and a gracious host. He loved a good cigar and you couldn’t please him more than to make him a plate of his favorite pasta. Denny spent his earliest years on the family farm in Iowa until moving to Everett, Washington with his father, (James) mother, (Rosella), sister (Jeanine), and five brothers (Jay, Pat, Mike, Tim, and Jerry). After graduating from Everett High School, Denny enlisted in the United States Marine Corps from 1953-1957 where he served honorably as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He later served in the Peace Corps in the early 1960’s in Sri Lanka, then called Ceylon. Denny was an accomplished business executive, working for more than 40 years in the pulp and paper industry for Weyerhaeuser, Georgia Pacific, and St. Laurent Paperboard. He took pleasure in mentoring many young associates to executive positions. Denny is survived by his wife, Karen, their four sons, Marcus, Matthew, Seth, and Luke, daughter's in law Desiree (wife of Marcus), Rebecca (wife of Seth), and two grandchildren, Lola and Sadie. A wake to celebrate Denny's life will be held on March 21st from 6:00-9:00 pm at the H.M. Patterson and Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel at 4550 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia. A service will be held on March 22nd at 4:00 pm at All Saints Catholic Church at 2443 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Georgia followed immediately by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Denny's behalf to "Hope for Atlanta" at PO Box 29932, Atlanta, Georgia 30359-9932.