Michael James Shannon
2012 Deputy Grand Marshal

Michael James Shannon, son of Sarah(Flynn) and Eugene Shannon was born in Orange, New Jersey on September 24th, 1946. His dad was born in West Orange and attended St. John's Grammar School. He worked until his retirement for Monroe and Co. of Orange, New Jersey. Michael's mom was born in Ballyhaunis in County Roscommon, Ireland. She came to Maplewood as a nanny when she was 16 years old. They were married in Holy Name Church in East Orange and raised their family on Watchung Ave. in West Orange. Michael has a sister, Ann Shannon Tortorella, who raised her family in Verona. She now lives in Sea Girt.

Michael is married to Rosemary Gillen. She was raised on Chestnut St. West Orange and is the daughter of Marie and Michael Gillen. Rosemary's mom was born in the ironbound section of Newark, and her dad was born in Frenchpark of County Roscommon. Her dad came with his entire family to West Orange in 1922. He worked for the town of West Orange for 40 years. Rosemary has a brother John who lives in Bridgewater New Jersey and a sister Patricia who lives in Gainesville Florida.

Michael and Rosemary raised four children in West Orange and now have twelve grandchildren. Their son Michael (Seton Hall Prep-Providence College) and his wife Victoria, live in Charlotte, North Carolina. They have four daughters, Mackenzie(8), Grace(6), Darcy(5), and Bailey(3). Their daughter Christine Shannon Wolfe (St. Elizabeth Academy-Providence College) and her husband Christopher live in Cranford with their three children Olivia(7), Amelia(4), and Owen(1). A daughter Colleen Shannon Troiano (Mt. St. Dominic-University of Scranton) and her husband Joseph live in Cranford as well with their three boys William(6), Andrew(4), and Thomas(18 months). Last but not least their son Kevin(Seton Hall Prep-Belmont Abbey College) and his wife Leslie live in Charlotte North Carolina with their two boys James(3) and Finn(2).

Michael Shannon went to St. John's Grammar School, Essex Catholic High School, and then to St. Peter's College. Michael taught at Essex Catholic for a time after college and was a Freshman Basketball Coach as well. He then went into the sporting goods business at East Orange Sporting Goods (both East Orange and West Orange) for 30 years. Now Michael is self employed running Mike Shannon Sports in Whippany.

Over the years Michael has been a member of the O'Hara Association, marching in the West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade for the past 40 years! He also helped start and was president of the Our Lady of Lourdes Athletic Association while his children attended the school. He was basketball coach for the boys and ran the girls program there as well. He was president of Seton Hall Prep Fathers Club and president of the St. Dominic Parents Association. A member of the Essex Catholic Hall of Fame, Michael is also very active member of the Hall of Fame Committee. Michael was also inducted into the Township of West Orange Hall of Fame.