Timothy Lee Shaughnessy, 66, passed away in his home following an epic week-long celebration of his life. Tim spent his final days surrounded by his wife of 40 years, his children, grandchildren, his mother and brothers, extended family, bandmates, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and lots of live music.
Born and raised in Olympia, Washington, Tim was the son of John Martin Shaughnessy, Jr. and Lara Lea Rinehart. He attended Olympia High School and Western Washington University, where he met the love of his life, Julia, at a party in 1978. They married in 1981 and soon started a family.
In 1985, they settled in Portland, Oregon, where they raised their two children, Ian and Alison.
Tim spent the majority of his working career in sales and manufacturing and was fortunate to work in the cutting edge of new manufacturing processes. His success and background gave him the experience to start his own business in 2015.
Despite his relaxed energy, Tim was relentless about his passions: spending quality time with his family (especially his young grandsons), waking early for work, playing music, and hanging with friends. He loved to cook, can peaches and pears, play racquet ball, have a cup of afternoon tea, see a good movie or play, and travel.
For Tim’s 40th birthday, his kids gifted him with his first bass guitar. The instrument that started as a hobby quickly took a major hold in his life, and Tim realized that, second to his family, music was his true passion. Tim and friends would gather at the neighbors for casual band nights every Friday, and within a few years, Klickitat street and the Shaughnessy household were woven into the fabric of the local music scene. Tim often commented on how lucky he was to play with some of Portland’s finest musicians. He was instrumental in establishing Portland’s first Mardi Gras Krewe and the Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular benefit concerts. He loved playing anytime and anywhere, but his favorite gigs were the outdoor venues and festivals and, of course, the annual Klickitat Street Party.
Like so many children of the ‘60s growing up, Tim was warned that rock-n- roll would lead to drugs! For Tim and his family, it actually did - specifically cannabis. In 2015, Tim and his son started one of the first licensed marijuana extraction facilities in the state of Oregon. The business quickly grew, and they expanded their business into the agricultural hemp market and began extracting CBD oil with Julia’s cousins. By 2018, Tim and his partners were running one of the largest CBD extraction businesses in the world. Tim was well respected and known in the cannabis market as someone who was happy to share information and teach the extraction process to others, even to the competition. He loved to remind those around him that the world is a big place with room for all to grow and create in the cannabis space. He and his business partners always believed that education is key for all to better understand the benefits of CBD and what it can do to help others.
Tim was at the peak of his life, a full and rich existence that reflected all he had to give. He was always looking for the best in people and loved a good challenge. His positive attitude and easy-going nature made life easier for those around him. Whether it was meeting new friends and neighbors, inviting others to join in and play music or tour the cannabis facility, Tim was known to bring folks together. As a result, he built a large community. Over this past year, Tim’s family and community never wavered in support as he fought hard to recover from an industrial accident that occurred in May 2020. It was a profound sadness to have everything change so suddenly, but there is gratitude amidst this sorrow as Tim’s work continues and the music plays on. Tim’s loved ones came together to give him the send-off party he would have wanted, with four nights of music and one last musical jam.
Sleep well, Tim. The rhythm section lost a great one, but we’ve all gained so much from you. We will love and cherish you forever and keep your memory in our hearts.
Tim is survived by his wife, Julia, his mother, Lara Lea Shaughnessy, his son and daughter-in-law, Ian Shaughnessy and Anja Charbonneau, his daughter and son-in-law Alison and Scott Warlitner and their children Calvin and Oliver, his brothers John (Kevan), Greg (Cathie), and Mike (Jennifer), nieces, nephews, cousins, his large extended family, his business family at FSOil, countless bandmates, his endless community, and his beloved Volkswagen Vanagon.
A celebration of his life will take place in July. Please contact the family for details. We will be following the CDC guidelines for Covid-19.
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