The Honorable John H. Shannon, 89, retired probate judge for the Town of Fairfield, beloved husband of the late Rita Jane Shannon, died peacefully December 27, at Cambridge Manor, Fairfield. Born in Bridgeport, the son of the late Governor of Connecticut James C. Shannon and Helen Shannon, he was a Fairfield resident for most of his life.

He will be sadly missed by his four loving children, Elizabeth S. Frassinelli and her husband David of Newtown, Barbara J. Shannon of Bellows Falls, Vt., Susan E. Regan of Fairfield, and John W. Shannon and his wife Jodie of Trumbull; six loving grandchildren, Kealy Chipman, Paul Ryan Chipman, Emily Regan, and Jack, Jane, and Jordan Shannon; a brother, James C. Shannon, Jr, of Lowell, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews, who survive him.

His sister, Claire Richards; a sister-in-law, Peggy Shannon; and a son-in-law, Kevin W. Regan, predeceased him.

A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Connecticut Law School, Mr Shannon passed the Bar Exam six months prior to graduation and joined his father's law practice at Shannon, Wilder, and Pitt. He was a member of the first four-year graduating class of Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1945. He was proud to have his earned varsity letter in his senior year on the Prep football team. He also loved the annual Latin Scholar luncheon. Mr Shannon was inducted into the Fairfield Prep Hall of Fame in 1989. He continued to practice law until his retirement in 1994 and was Fairfield's probate judge from 1979 to 1994. He was a member of the American, Connecticut, Bridgeport, and Fairfield Bar Associations. He served as a trial referee in Bridgeport Superior Court and was a member of the Connecticut Probate Assembly and the National Council of Probate Judges. Serving in the Connecticut State Senate from 1957 to 1958, Mr Shannon was the Fairfield Republican Town Committee treasurer for seven years.

Mr Shannon gave back to his community, serving on the advisory boards at Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Oak Lawn Cemetery, and the Fairfield Kiwanis Club. He was also a trustee of Fairfield Country Day School. As an early organizer of Fairfield FISH, he continued his commitment to those in need. He was an early organizer of the McGivney Center; a supporter of the Kennedy Center; a member of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the Greenfield Hill Grange, the Sacred Heart Pioneer Club, the Brooklawn Country Club, and the Algonquin Club; a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus; and a past commodore of the Black Rock Yacht Club. A former parishioner of St Pius X Church, Mr Shannon was a parishioner at Holy Family Church.

From 1994 to 2004, he and Rita resided in Naples, Fla., where they were members of the Moorings Beach Club and St Williams R.C. Church. The highlight of Mr Shannon's retirement was the time he was able to spend with his six cherished grandchildren.

Friends may greet the family Tuesday, December 2, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 3, at 10 am, at Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the Latin Scholars Fund or the Ryan C. Brennan Memorial Scholarship care of Fairfield Prep, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06824.

To offer an online condolence, visit spearmillerfuneralhome.com.