Gerald Paul Shannon (Jerry), age 93, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024, at Goodwin House, Bailey’s Crossroads in Falls Church, Virginia.

Jerry was born on March 14, 1931, in San Francisco, California, to William S. and Josephine Gaffney Shannon. After his father’s passing in 1938, Jerry, his mother, and his sister relocated across the country to Georgetown, where they lived with two of his aunts. As a young boy, Jerry attended Holy Trinity Church and School, serving as an altar boy for seven years and forming a deep bond with the Jesuit priests there. During his youth, he also attended Camp Denges, run by seminarians from the Salvatorian Order, which further shaped his faith and values.

Jerry graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1949 and began his studies at Georgetown University, just a few blocks from his home. Inspired by the Jesuits and Salvatorians who had influenced him, Jerry left college after his sophomore year to join a Jesuit seminary. However, realizing that the priesthood was not his calling, he returned to Georgetown University, graduating in 1954.

Following his graduation, Jerry served in the U.S. Army for two years before enrolling in Georgetown Law School. He later dedicated 36 years of his career to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, serving as an attorney from 1960 to 1996.

In 1959, Jerry met Charlotte while she was working at Georgetown Hospital. They married in 1960 and settled in Falls Church, Virginia, where they lovingly raised their five children and built a life together.

Jerry is survived by his children: Bill Shannon (Monica), Kathleen Hobbs (Bob), Mary Jo Tully (Mike), Clare Castronovo (Mike), and Gregory Shannon (Megan). He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Madison, Benjamin, and Ryan Shannon; Bobby (Megan), Jill, and Nicole Hobbs; Patrick, Kevin, Maura, and Ross Tully; Paul and Bridgette Castronovo; and Arden Shannon, as well as his great-granddaughters, Anabelle, Penelope, and Carolina Hobbs.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Charlotte D. Shannon, and his sister, Clare Mitchell.

A funeral mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., with interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Goodwin House Foundation at https://goodwinliving.org/giving.