When someone like Vic Shannon passes, the local coffee shops in Rockland and the quiet corners of the South Shore feel a little emptier. It isn't just about a name in a newspaper. It is about a guy who spent forty years keeping the lights on at Boston Edison and another twenty years making sure every kid at the local nursing home believed in magic.
The Victor Shannon obituary Massachusetts news recently hit the community hard, specifically for those who knew him as the "Ever Ready Bunny" of Good Samaritan Village. Honestly, if you grew up in Hyde Park or lived in Rockland over the last three decades, you probably have a "Vic story." He wasn't a celebrity in the Hollywood sense, but in the world of South Shore engineering and Florida retirement communities, he was a legend of the everyday.
Who Was Victor C. Shannon?
Victor C. Shannon—known simply as Vic to basically everyone—passed away on February 28, 2025. He was 81. He didn't just drift through life; he sort of steamrolled through it with a massive smile and a golf club in his hand. Born in the Hyde Park section of Boston, he was a city kid who never lost that Boston grit, even when he was retirement-snoozing in the Florida sun.
He graduated from Boston Technical High School and later Wentworth Institute, which set the stage for a massive career. We are talking 40-plus years in the engineering department at Boston Edison. Think about that. Forty years of navigating the complexities of the grid and the corporate shifts of a major utility.
The Man Behind the Uniform
Vic wasn't just his job. He was a guy of deep roots. He lived in Rockland for over 30 years and was a fixture at Holy Family Parish. But the thing people talk about most? His "second career" as the best Santa Claus the South Shore has ever seen. For years, he’d suit up for a local nursing home, and by all accounts, he didn't just play the part—he was the part.
👉 See also: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
In his Florida years, he earned that "Ever Ready Bunny" nickname. He couldn't sit still. If a neighbor’s golf cart broke down or a driveway needed sealing, Vic was there. He was the guy with the right tool and the right advice, usually delivered with a laugh that could fill a room.
- Career: 40+ years at Boston Edison.
- Education: Boston Technical High School, Wentworth Institute.
- Community: Member of Bethesda Lodge #30 (Odd-Fellows) and Weymouth-Braintree Elks #2232.
- Hobbies: Texas Hold'em, shuffleboard, and a "sneaky good" golf game.
What People Get Wrong About the Legacy
Sometimes, when people look up an obituary, they just want the dates. February 28, 2025. That’s the date. But the "what people get wrong" part is thinking a man like Vic can be summed up by a list of memberships.
His family—his wife Ann, his kids Victor and Lisa, and the stepkids he treated as his own—they remember the singing. He loved to sing "He'll Have to Go." He loved to do the Electric Slide. He was the kind of guy who would use a putter from 30 yards out on a golf course and actually make the shot. That’s not a statistic; that’s a character trait.
Why This Matters to Massachusetts
The passing of Victor Shannon marks the end of an era for a specific kind of Massachusetts worker. The "Boston Edison generation" is a group of people who built the infrastructure we still rely on. They were technical, hardworking, and intensely loyal to their communities.
✨ Don't miss: When is the Next Hurricane Coming 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
When you see the Victor Shannon obituary Massachusetts notice, it’s a reminder of the importance of the "Third Act." Vic’s life in Kissimmee, Florida, at the GSV Golf Club, showed that retirement isn't about stopping. It’s about pivoting your skills—from engineering power grids to fixing neighbor’s leaf blowers and keeping the neighborhood driveways looking sharp.
Real Memories from the Community
The condolences left for the family paint a vivid picture. Friends like Steve Swinamer recall the rounds of golf at the Rockland Golf Course. Neighbors like Sterling and Kathy Smith talk about seeing him constantly on his mower or using his leaf blower. It sounds mundane, but in a neighborhood, that consistency is the heartbeat of the street.
His grandchildren—Nathen, Jacob, Eden, Emily, and Griffin—called him "Papa." And honestly, that was probably his favorite title of all.
How to Honor the Memory
If you're looking for ways to pay respects or connect with the family's wishes, there are a few practical steps you can take that align with how Vic lived his life:
🔗 Read more: What Really Happened With Trump Revoking Mayorkas Secret Service Protection
- Support Local Engineering Scholarships: Given his history with Boston Tech and Wentworth, supporting vocational education is a direct nod to his roots.
- Volunteer During the Holidays: Vic's stint as Santa was legendary. Helping out at a local nursing home or senior center in Rockland or Braintree carries on that specific brand of joy.
- The "Fix-It" Mentality: In a world where we throw everything away, learn to fix something. Vic’s legacy was one of being useful. Helping a neighbor with a repair is perhaps the most "Vic" thing you could do.
Vic Shannon lived a full 81 years. He saw the transition of Boston from an old-school industrial hub to a tech giant, all while staying true to the values of the South Shore. He was a son of Hyde Park, a staple of Rockland, and a hero of the "good life" in Florida.
He didn't just leave behind a family; he left behind a blueprint for how to be a "great guy." If you're searching for the details of his passing, remember that the man was much more than the date on the page. He was the song in the air and the guy making sure the golf carts were running smooth.
Check the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home records if you need specific service details or want to leave a message for Ann and the rest of the Shannon crew. They've been a pillar of the community, and the outpouring of support shows just how much Vic was loved.
Next Steps:
If you knew Vic from his days at Boston Edison or played a round with him in Kissimmee, you should reach out to the family through the official memorial page at Magoun-Biggins. Sharing a specific story—especially one about his golf game or his Santa visits—provides more comfort than a generic card ever could. You can also plant a memorial tree in his name through the funeral home’s website to ensure his "Ever Ready" energy stays rooted in the community.