Brian Thomas Shannon passed away suddenly at home, on Monday, August 29th, 2022. Age 80 years.

Beloved husband of Linda Shannon (Martin) for 43 years. Loving father of Meghan (Tyler); Martin (Dani); and Hillary (Kevin). Cherished Grandpa of Harleigh, Lillian, and Quinton. Loving son of the late Tom and Pat Shannon. Fondly remembered by Joan, Sharon, his nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Brian will be sadly missed by his band mates and tennis members.

Brian enjoyed music and playing drums with his bandmates Glen, Warren, and Gerhart. Brian was the best bus driver for Glen Orchard Public School. He was known for driving “The Drum Bus”. Brian loved tennis, and was a valuable volunteer for the MacTier community – he was instrumental in getting a paved bicycle lane in MacTier. Above all, Brian enjoyed spending time with his family.

As was Brian’s wish, cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Brian’s Life will be held at 33 Chain of Lakes Road, MacTier, on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 between the hours of 11:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. (welcome to drop in until 6:00 P.M.) Please join Brian's family in honouring a life well lived by playing tennis, pickleball, enjoy food and music, all while sharing special memories of Brian.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to Glen Orchard Public School (music program) would be appreciated.

Condolences

Sending our deepest sympathy to the Shannon family.

Our deepest condolences to Linda, Meghan, Martin and Hillary and family. The Ritzer family have been members at Chain Of Lakes Tennis Club for over 40 years. We have many great memories of playing there. Brian was able to give lessons to Allen Ritzer and 3 more generations of his family.
Hopefully, Brian and Jim are now enjoying tennis up in Heaven! RIP. We will miss you dearly Brian. ❤️

Dear Shannon family,
I had the privilege of getting to know Brian on his tennis courts. He was a true gentleman and a great sportsman who loved the game and was always ready to pass along his experience. He was kind with his time and always made me feel welcome and I valued his friendship. He was an athlete right to the end and I can hardly believe he’s gone. I know his health wasn’t up to par but I never expected him to leave us so soon. I enjoyed our many conversations about his family and his music. I’m sure he will be missed by many and his legacy as an all around nice guy will live on in his community. I miss you Brian! May God wrap his arms around you and your family. Rest In Peace my friend.

So sorry to hear about the loss of Brian. He did some lessons for my boys and was truly passionate about sharing tennis with them. He also was a great friend to my parents Jim and Wendy who loved spending their weekends at his courts. He built a great community up there with many long lasting friendships. Thinking of the entire family.

Please allow Celeste and I to express our heartfelt condolences at this most difficult of times. We never had the pleasure to meet Brian however we pray that your memories of Brian bring you comfort at your time of loss. PEACE. GOD BLESS.

It has come with great sadness to me today to hear the passing of Brian. I met Brian when I began playing tennis at the age of 11 at his tennis club. It was the 70's and tennis had taken off. Brian created a wonderful experience for many of us and I will always remember his compassion for tennis, his family, music and God. He was a wonderful man who truly had an impact on my life and who I am today. I will always remember our many trips to the local tournaments in his gremlin :) that he would take us to and he was so proud of the club he had built for everyone to come and use and he made it affordable for everyone because he was a giving person.
God bless you Brian, rest in peace and I know you are probably playing tennis today in Heaven.
Linda & Family my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Roy Clifton :(

Linda, Though it has been many years since we have talked I have great memories of working together. I am sorry for your loss. May wonderful memories help you through this time.

So very sorry for your loss .. thinking of the Shannon family at this sad time.

Our deepest Condolences to all of the Shannon family. My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.
Jean Lake and Family.

I am sorry to hear of Brian passing. Harleigh I am sure you will miss your Granddad. My thoughts and love are with all of you. Sandy McLean

Very sorry to hear of Brian's passing. His generosity and enthusiasm in sharing his tennis skills with a number of my grandchildren will be missed. Our condolences to the Shannon family.
Robert Dunn and family.

Linda and family .. our hearts go out to all who knew him and loved him .. I wish there was more I could do .. Ed and Holly

Dear Linda & family - My thoughts & prayers are with you. Brian & I had planned our little ‘reunion’ during all conversation last fall. The idea was for me to visit there this fall and have some fun talks about the memories of long ago. Brian introduced me to jazz and took me to the downtown clubs when I was 18 (underage at the time). Grateful to have those good times with him. Also, the mini-Woodstock back in 1972? Great fun. I have missed seeing him now and trust I will see him again…someday. Namaste. Brian was a loving & caring cousin/uncle/‘big brother’ figure for me in my teens. May the love & care be shared with you now. Love Lanee

Farewell Dear Irish
I met Brian half a century ago when I slept on his living room floor and he found a house for me to buy just down the road. I met Linda when she helped me paint that same little house brown, and we became soulmates on the spot. If memory serves, that was about 1976. Linda and I waitressed together at The Woodsman for a time before she went off to Nursing School. I was an official witness at the memorable Martin-Shannon marriage ceremony in the barn and the hearty wedding feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Linda made my dress. After a ridiculous time lapse, my husband Jan and I reconnected with Brian and Linda in 2017. Jan and Brian had been in a talented band or two together in the 1960’s. When we reconnected five years ago, it dawned on me that much of what I have always loved about Brian Shannon reflects our shared IRISH DNA. We are simpatico. I have a farewell letter to share with you.
Dear Brian,
You leave us with …
Your love of family above all.
Your character and love of character in everyone you met.
Your gift of gab. You could talk rings around most other people.
Your enthusiasm.
Your gift for storytelling with colourful details, wit and good humour.
Your stellar musical talent. Your promotion and sharing of music at every opportunity.
Your joy in all children. Your gift for teaching them on the school bus and in the classroom. Could any child wish for a more inspiring bus driver?
Your kindness, your quick humour, your genuine caring, your gentle ways.
Your love of community and how you fostered that with tennis and pickleball.
Your visions to revitalize MacTier.
Your smile and laugh were just plain fun. I can summon your infectious laugh at will.
Your love of mischief and seizing every opportunity to make some.
Your love of sport and competition. I cherish memories of card games and crokinole and dominoes.
500!!! NULLO!!! Linda keeps score! The best of times around kitchen tables.
Your strong convictions and desire to discuss them at length. You valued stimulating dialogue and brainstorming with others.
We are blessed to have had you in our lives, Dear Friend.
Ginny and Jan

On behalf of my brother and myself, I would like to express our sincere sympathy to our cousin Brian's Family and Friends. Like Brian, my brother and I both developed a love of tennis from an early age and it was one of Brian's early musical groups that introduced me to live jazz music in the mid 1960's.

We are heart broken to hear of Brian's passing. He will be missed terribly. Sending prayers and thoughts to his family.

Our sincerest condolences to the family, unfortunately we had not been up in Muskoka much the last few years due to a number of factors, however I did get to see him in Sept 2021, many fond memories of tennis since 1992 when I first got back into tennis with lessons from Brian!
He will be missed!

Brian was a pillar to the community of MacTier. He was proud of his family run business, always an eager volunteer with any community functions & ready to greet with a smiling face & friendly chat. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Cathy and Rudolf Kurz

sorry to hear of Brians passing

Linda
So very sorry and my sincere condolences.
Been a while since we have chatted and even longer since we worked together!
Patty Riches

In the 1970's we bought a piece of property on Roberts Bay Road, just in from Ben Robert's store and gas station.
On one trip up the highway, I noticed a very small homemade sign that said "Tennis" with an arrow. It piqued my curiosity and I investigated and found Brian teaching a group of kids the sport of tennis.
That was the beginning of my tennis in Muskoka. Over the years (about 45 in all), I enjoyed the camaraderie and competition at Brian's.
As the years went by,many new friends joined in, one court became three, and many social events with potluck dinners and the famous Mexican train game took place.
Brian was an excellent teacher, mentor and role model to kids and warm and welcoming to adults.
Thank you Brian, for all the fun and healthy activity we all enjoyed.
My heartfelt condolence to Linda and his three children.

Nick Kristoffy

Brian had a temperament we could all admire. He treated everyone with respect, with extra praise for Linda, Meghan, Martin, Hilary, spouses and grandchildren. He was a family man. Brian was a great tennis instructor and enjoyed teaching kids most, whether on the court or music and juggling in the schools. But most of all he was a confidant and a darn good friend. We’ll miss you Brian! My condolences to the Shannon family.

I was so lucky to have a friendship with Brian for a short time. I remember the day he won 1000 dollars after eating at the buffet with David and I!

I have only just seen this very sad news about Brian. I am so sorry I did not see it last fall. My entire family spent hours of fun playing tennis under Brian’s guidance. My sincere condolences to Linda and the entire family.