By Robert Williams

Editor

Sherri Hanson officiated the speaking portion of the celebration of life for Patrick Shannon that was held Sunday, July 13, at Forest Edge Gallery, introducing a large number of speakers who shared both sentimental and humorous stories and memories about Shannon prior to a service with military honors.  ¶  Hanson recognized Billy’s owner Vanessa Perry for bringing out a cross that Shannon had made for Perry that was used during her father and father-in-law’s funeral services.  ¶  “Vanessa is a huge supporter of Vergas and she and Patrick had many instances where they came together on different things,” said Hanson. “We wanted to recognize her from bringing the cross out here in remembrance of Patrick.”  ¶  Hanson talked about the many times she worked with Shannon on the village’s many events as part of the Vergas Community Club.

“Even though he maybe wasn’t the one there speaking or selling T-shirts, you could not be at one of those events without seeing his art,” Hanson said. “He would make the medals for the Hairyman run or the trophies for the Wiener Dog races and when we worked on the trail together that was a real passion of his.”

Hanson pointed out the art sculpture near the boardwalk around Long Lake that depicts all the species in the lake that was created by Shannon as part of his efforts.

“You cannot go anywhere in Vergas without seeing pieces of him because of his art and all the sculptures,” she said. “It’s fair to say you could probably go to any one of our homes and see the same thing. Not many people are given that opportunity to have their legacy carried on that way.”

Hanson also described a private conversation she had with Shannon two months prior to his passing where she asked him candidly what he wanted to see for Vergas when he was gone.

“He immediately came up with different ideas for the trail and he came up with so many different things,” said Hanson.

Shannon also discussed former contributors to Vergas who have passed, like Hanson’s father Gordon Dahlgren and Rodney Hanson.

“…and all those people that did so much for Vergas. It’s just so cool and so hard to think about those people gone,” Hanson related Shannon’s words. “We had a moment where I just said, Patrick, all we can hope for is that some day there are two people sitting here, 30 years down the road, talking about Vergas and how beautiful the art is around it and how great the community is and they’ll maybe say hey, remember Patrick Shannon? Remember Sherri Hanson? Remember how cool it is that they continued to keep the community of Vergas going? The fact that he was one of those people, I think we can all just be very thankful for.”

Shannon’s brother Terry Shannon began by relating how the brothers grew up on a farm near Height of Land Lake, including a funny tale of Pat ordering 100 chickens but suffering from hay fever he was unable to care for and later to help butcher the chickens.  

“We got all done and he got all the money,” Terry laughed.

Terry also related a story about collecting hay and Pat would use his hay fever to get out of the work.

“Every time I would drive into the yard Pat would be in the hammock with Kool Aid, reading a book,” Terry said. “I used to get so angry and I think it was last year when we got together and he told me he used to watch for me and every time I came in he’d run and jump in that hammock.”

Terry’s speech turned more sentimental after he cracked up the crowd.

“I’m very proud of Pat,” Terry said. “He turned out to be such a great guy. He’s going to heaven; he’s there now with mom and dad and our other brother.

Shannon discussed Pat leaving the Air Force and renting a house in New York Mills and how Pat suffered severe injuries from a gas explosion in that home.

Pat was badly burned, especially his hands, but never complained, and how it led him to being working with art.

“His therapy was to start to throw pots, that’s how Pat started and he’s got a lot of talent,” Terry said.

The final scheduled speaker was former Friends of Tamarac President Bill Henke, who talked about Pat’s presence at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and his many contributions.

“Patrick was very much a presence out at Tamarac,” he said. “The various forms of art that are quite noteworthy out there are just a great testament to the love he had for that place.”

Henke described one meaningful encounter he had with Pat in 2021.

“Prior to that, Patrick had been commissioned to create a sculpture for a presumed site out at Tamarac,” Henke said. “He completed the sculpture and then it was placed in storage for quite a while. It was called ‘Soar.’”

Henke described the piece as a pair of eagles soaring above some limbs reaching out from a precipice.

As part of an initiative, it was decided to create a handicapped-accessible pathway from the Discovery Center to the Eagle Eye Picnic Area. 

“That was the spot that this statue called ‘Soar’ really belonged to and now it’s become a really noteworthy spot for a lot of activities,” Henke said.

Henke described Pat as a kind, humble, unassuming man who was very good about sharing his knowledge and he was a joy to interact with.

“He was also known out at Tamarac as a respectful, caring individual and his generosity shone mightily,” said Henke. 

Henke concluded by saying Patrick is omnipresent at Tamarac and described the legacy he left there, thanking Patrick on behalf of the refuge and inviting guests to come witness the legacy Pat left there.

Other speakers included Patrick’s nephew Steve Shannon and other friends and fellow employees of Forest Edge Gallery.

Steve shared an instance that Hanson brought up in her opening monologue about Patrick attending Vergas’ Small Town Christmas event last year where he and Helena pulled up in the family pickup and people lined up to greet Pat and share sentiments knowing his time was fleeting.”

“I was at the Small Town Christmas event and the way to town embraced Pat; it’s hard for me to even talk about it now it touched me that much,” he said. “I want to thank all of you for that. That was very meaningful.”

The ceremony concluded with the official military honors service for Shannon, a veteran of the Air Force, including the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of “Taps,” and a rifle salute.