Richard J. Shannon, 86, of North Billerica passed away December 28,2013 at Life Care Center of Billerica after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Richard was born in Barre, Vermont, on July 16, 1927 to Arthur and Alice (Lawliss) Shannon. He graduated from Spaulding High School in 1945 before enlisting in the Navy. He served for two years including a journey to the South Pole lead by Admiral Byrd as part of Operation High Jump on the USS Philippines Sea. He worked as a radio man for the Vermont State Police and as an engineer with Sanders in Nashua, NH. In 1966 he started working for M/A Com until he retired as a Systems Engineer in 2003. Richard was a Shriner and a Fifty year member of the Masonic Lodge of Barre, VT. He enjoyed reading, history, travel and family reunions. He was a smart, funny and generous man to all he knew. Richard is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jean (Robb) Shannon. He was the beloved father of three daughters, Debra LeBlanc and her husband Christopher, of Chelmsford, MA, and Kristi and Amy Shannon of North Billerica. He was also the proud Grandfather of Ava and Sean LeBlanc. He was the oldest of seven, whom he always looked out for, including Howard Shannon and his wife, Patricia, of Phoenix, AZ, Donald Shannon and his wife, Kathleen of Barre, VT, Earlene Blais of Barre, VT, John Shannon and his wife Joyce of New Hartford, NY, and Barbara Shannon of Barre, VT. He was predeceased by his youngest brother Michael Shannon of Concord, NH. He was also a doting "Uncle Dickie" to many nieces and nephews. , A funeral will be held this spring in Barre, VT. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Richard's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.