Obituary of Kevin Shanley

Surrounded by his loving family, Kevin Shanley passed away peacefully at home in Gladstone, New Jersey on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. His life will be celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Abbey Church at Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ on Tuesday, October 15 at 10:30 a.m. Kevin was born in New York, the son of Bernard M. Shanley and Maureen Smith Shanley. He spent his early years in Washington D.C. where his father was Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Kevin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Business School AMA. His career began at the Fidelity Union Trust Company where he rose to Vice Chairman and Director. He was a Director and later President and Chief Executive Officer of Duro Test Corporation. Kevin then served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Atlantic Health System Corporation and President of several of its subsidiaries until his retirement last year. Throughout his business career, Kevin was a mentor to many. His sound perspective and high standard of integrity is reflected in their success. While Kevin’s business career is impressive, he will be best remembered for his philanthropy, particularly for the City of Newark. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Newark Museum in 1972 and was Chairman for more than 25 years. With his leadership, the Museum undertook its single largest expansion, the North Wing. In 1972, he became a trustee of the Victoria Foundation which is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families of Newark. He served as Treasurer for many years and most recently as President and Treasurer. Kevin was also on the Board of Trustees of New Jersey Futures and was a regent of St. Peter’s College. Kevin was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fishing, shooting and hunting with his dogs at the Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Club in Pennsylvania. He taught his wife and daughters to enjoy and excel in these sports. He was a fine golfer and a member of the National Golf Links of America in Southampton, NY and Roxiticus Golf Club in Bernardsville, NJ. He was also a member of the Bohemian Club of San Francisco, the Leash Club of New York, the Flint Hill Preserve and the Somerset Lake and Game Club of NJ. He was a lifelong supporter of the Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania. Kevin will be deeply missed by all those whose lives he touched with his warmth and humor. He was predeceased by his sister, Maureen Kirk, and brothers, Brendan and Seton. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maudie and his daughters, Alison Johnson and her husband, Peder (Johnny); Katy Scott and her husband, Dan; Eliza Sutte and her husband, Matt and Julie Ryan and her husband, John. He leaves his much loved grandchildren, Eleanor and Samuel Johnson; Kellen and Lachlan Sutte. Kevin is also survived by his sister Brigid Lamb and her husband, Jim, and their children Seamus, Sean, and Abigail. Donations may be made in Kevin’s name to the Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102 or St. Vincent Academy, 238 West Market Street, Newark, NJ 07103.