Patrick Shannon, 85, of West Hartford and Niantic, Connecticut, passed away on Tuesday (August 25, 2015). He was born in Ennistymon, County Clare, Ireland on August 22, 1930 to the late James Shannon and Catherine Healy Shannon. Pat left his homestead, Killenagh, in 1950 to immigrate to the United States in pursuit of the American dream. He applied his twenty years of experience as an Irish farmer and schooling from the Christian Brothers school to finding employment in America. In addition to a magnitude of jobs, Pat served as an infantryman in the United States Army and worked most notably a fireman for the City of Hartford Fire Department. Upon retiring from the City of Hartford, Pat pursued further employment with the State of Connecticut. Pat lived a balanced life and prided himself in providing for his family. He enjoyed spending time at his summer beach cottage and playing cards at the Irish American Home Society, where he was a lifetime member. Pat also loved his dogs, gardening and tending to his yards, “apple pie and coffee,” Irish music, and both the Boston Red Sox and UConn women’s basketball. Pat thoroughly enjoyed family get-togethers and most notably hosted annual Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade parties. Pat is now reunited with the love of his life, his late wife, Ann Marie “Nancy” (Mangan) Shannon. Pat leaves behind his children; Patricia Shannon Breor and her husband, Capt. (Ret.) Mark R. Breor USN of Aiken, South Carolina; John J. Shannon of West Hartford; and Mary Catherine Kew and her husband, Dr. Clifton E. Kew II of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Patrick also leaves behind two granddaughters, Lauren K. Breor and Shannon R. Breor; two grandsons, Clifton E. “Trey” Kew III and Owen P. Kew; and many nieces and nephews, all whom of he relished hearing from and was so proud of their accomplishments. Pat joins his sister, Peg Malone; and brothers, James “Jimmy” Shannon and Brother Joseph Shannon, CFC. He leaves behind his sisters, Mary Noble of England; and Bridget Maguire, Catherine McGuire, and Carmel Morgan, all of Ireland. Pat also leaves behind his brother and faithful friend, Denis Shannon and Denny’s wife, Christine Shannon, of East Hartford. Pat’s dedication and strong work ethic granted him respect and wisdom throughout his life and his kind, gentle soul provided him many friends. It was originally the dream that made him, but it was ultimately he that made the dream. Calling hours will be held TODAY Friday, August 28, 2015 from 4 to 7pm at the Farley Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:00am in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Ave., Hartford, CT. Interment will follow the Mass in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery,(Sec. R) 1 Cottage Grove Rd., Bloomfield 06002. To extend online condolences, share a memory and/or light a candle, please visit farleysullivan.com. In lieu of flowers, Pat’s family requests that you extend a kind word or gesture and a smile to someone in need. Make someone’s day and think of a favorite memory of Pat while doing so! Feel free to bring a simple flower from your yard to place at Pat’s gravesite.