John Shaughnessy

Known for his tremendous commitment to his family, his Catholic faith and his friends, John W. "Shaggert" Shaughnessy of Upper Darby, Pa., passed away at the age of 94 on May 29, 2019.

His desire to make a difference in the lives of others led John to serve his country in World War II and during the Korean War.

A veteran of the United States Navy, he was also a lifeguard in his youth, leading him to save at least one person's life.

Still, he left his greatest impact as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend. Befitting his birth on Valentine's Day in 1925, all these relationships became so beautifully meaningful because of the special way he always gave his love to others-from the heart and without question.

That gift was especially true in his nearly 67 years of marriage to the love of his life, Doris, a union so complete that on a recent Valentine's Day, they looked lovingly into each other's eyes and sang the love ballad "Always" to each other.

His strength as a husband and a father always shined through, and it was the best and purest kind of strength-a strength forged in love. Doris and their five children-Maureen, Shawn, Rose, Joe and Doreen-always knew he was there for them, and knew they could count on him. That same feeling was shared by their great-grandchild Annie and their eight grandchildren, John Michael, Brian, Dan, Kathleen, Shauna, Megan, Joseph and Mason.

The son of two Irish immigrants to America-John J. Shaughnessy and Bridget McDonnell Shaughnessy-he was always proud of his Irish roots, and that pride extended to his love for the University of Notre Dame and its football team. He also shared a deep, lifelong bond with his four sisters-Anne, Mary, Jo and Eileen.

Growing up in Philadelphia, he was a star athlete in his own right and a proud graduate of St. Thomas More High School. In his youth, he was nicknamed "Shaggert" for the way he gracefully raced across baseball diamonds to track down balls in the outfield. His love for baseball and all sports also led to his lifelong following of Philadelphia's professional sports teams, especially the Phillies.

His view of family extended to his friends, and to the school where he worked most of his career. He served as the head custodian of Ardmore Elementary School in Lansdowne, earning the smiles of the school children and the friendships of teachers and principals.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Doris A, Shaughnessy (nee Wassel), his loving children, Maureen Shaughnessy (John Strubinger), John "Shawn" Shaughnessy (Mary) Rose Stauffer (Jay), Joseph Shaughnessy and Doreen McDonough (Joseph). He is also survived by his grandchildren, John M. (Jen), Brian (Kathleen), Daniel, Kathleen, Shauna, Megan, Joseph and Mason, and his great-granddaughter, Annie.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Sunday, June 2, from 5 PM. to 7 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, (corner of Lynn Blvd.), Upper Darby, and to his Funeral Mass on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 10:30 AM. in St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby. Interment will be at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery in Springfield, PA.



In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the St. Thomas More Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 294, Drexel Hill, PA 19026.