RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Daniel J. Shannon has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Dan is survived by his devoted wife, Kathryn "Kitty" Shannon of more than 65 years, his children, Maureen (Scott) Forster, Colleen (Glen) Svenningsen, Mary Ellen (Scott) Moncrieff, and Gerard (Lisa) Shannon, grandchildren, and was preceded in death by his son, Daniel, daughter, Nancy, five siblings, and his parents; and
WHEREAS, Dan was born on Chicago's South Side on August 15,1933 to Peter and Marion Shannon; and
WHEREAS, Dan was the son of an.Irish immigrant who established a lucrative accounting practice; and
WHEREAS, Dan attended Mt. Carmel High School and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1955 with a degree in accounting where he played football and was an Academic, All-American defensive end as well as the co-captain of Notre Dame's 1954 football team that went 9-1; and
WHEREAS, Dan was drafted by the Chicago Bears but instead he decided to follow in his father's footsteps by getting his Certified Public Accountant license, and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years where he achieved the title of captain; and
WHEREAS, From 1969 to 1973, Dan was elected as president of the Chicago Park District; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at the Chicago Park District, Dan alongside five other good willed and forward-thinking individuals, including Anne Burke and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, assisted with establishing the Special Olympics; and
WHEREAS, The very first Special Olympics event occurred in July of 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago and has since inspired Special Olympics worldwide; and
WHEREAS, Dan's influence during his time helped shape an essential part of modern day history for individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, Dan was also highly involved with various civic organizations in Chicago, serving on the board of Misericordia in Chicago which is a non-for-profit home for people with mild to profound developmental disabilities, and also served as a board member at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Daniel J. Shannon imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this Ninth day of September, 2020, do hereby commemorate Daniel J. Shannon for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Daniel J. Shannon.