Bruce Shanahan

Bruce Kim Shanahan, 85, of Charlevoix, MI died Monday April 29, 2019. Bruce was born in Charlevoix on July 26, 1933 to parents Phila and Edward. As a military child, Bruce spent much of his childhood in various places across the country, but attended high school in Charlevoix.

After graduating high school in 1950 Bruce attended the University of Michigan where he earned a B.S. degree in Geology. Upon graduation he served in the Army for two years and then returned to the University of Michigan for two years of medical school before accepting a position with the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company as a geologist for copper mining operations in the Keweenaw peninsula of Michigan. When the Keweenaw copper mines closed in the late 1960s Bruce relocated to Reno, Nevada where he also worked as a mining geologist.

Throughout much of the 1970s and early 1980s Bruce co-owned and managed a health food store in Rochester, New York. He moved back to Charlevoix in the mid 1980s to care for his aging parents.

Bruce was an avid amateur naturalist who loved to hike and camp and commune with nature. On a slow walk through the north woods with Bruce, he would happily share his knowledge of the flora and fauna, not to mention rocks and minerals. By the end of the walk you will know, among other things, that a white pine has five needles per bundle whereas red and black pines have two; and you might have handsful of wild leeks to go with dinner.

Bruce loved to sing and did so for many years with the Charlevoix Men’s Chorus. He was also a faithful member of the Charlevoix First Congregational Church choir. A really good bass, say fans and fellow choralists.

As an active member of the First Congregational Church, Bruce served on several boards and committees and also held the position of assistant financial secretary.

Bruce is survived by niece Mary Kim (Michael) Pagels of Hampstead, MD, nephew Edward (Nancy) of Toledo, OH, nephew Robert (Debra) of Canton, MI, niece Kathleen (Cornel) Van Gorp of Powell, OH and seven grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded by his parents and his brother Robert Edward Shanahan.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday May 18th at the First Congregational Church of Charlevoix. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:

The National Institute on Aging: Dementia Research and Clinical Trials

https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/donations

Dementia Society of America

https://www.dementiasociety.org/donate

Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com