Cornelius 'Neil' Evans Shannahan, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 2, 2017 in Rye, New York. Neil was preceded in death by the love of his life, Evelyn Kelly Shannahan, in 2016, his wife of 67 years. They were residents of Chappaqua, New York for over 50 years.
Neil is survived by 5 children: Constance (Fred) Gardner, Regina (Michael) Palumbo, Cornelius Kevin (Joan) Shannahan, Gregory (Barbara) Shannahan, and Timothy (Jake Montes) Shannahan. Neil, 'Poppie' will be greatly missed by his 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Neil was preceded in death by his daughter, Deidre; his two brothers, John and Regis; and his parents, Cornelius and Lillian Shannahan.
Neil was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 4, 1924. He was raised in New York but remained a St. Louis Cardinals fan his entire life. Neil served in the Navy during WWII reaching the rank of Communications Officer. Neil attended Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn where he was elected President of the Senior Class. He later received a Master's Degree in Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Neil enjoyed a long and successful career in the chemical engineering field rising to the position of President at Hoechst-Uhde.
Neil's lifelong love of skiing became a family passion enjoying many trips to their vacation home in Okemo, Vermont. Other interests included tennis, golf and following Notre Dame football games.
The family will receive friends October 16th at 9:00AM at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home 418 Bedford Rd Pleasantville NY. A mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM at Saint John and St. Mary R.C. Church (The Upper Church) located 30 Poillon Drive Chappaqua NY. An interment will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 10 W Stevens Ave, Hawthorne NY.