Alan Thomas ("Tom") Shannon of Rochester passed away at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis on the evening of March 24th as a result of congestive heart failure and complications from diabetes.

A visitation will be held at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester on Wednesday, March 30th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 31st with a lunch to follow.

Tom was born in Elma, Iowa on May 18th, 1949, and graduated from New Hampton (Iowa) High School in 1968. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Frances Shannon. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Cindy Shannon, his son Ryan (Nicole) Shannon, daughter Jackie (Kirk) Grandstrand, grandchildren Jackson and Lucas Holte and Grace and Charlie Grandstrand, brother Terry (Vonnie) Shannon, sister Maureen (Brad) Northrup, and brother Stephen (Jean) Shannon. Tom is also survived by former wife, Janet Shannon of Rochester (mother of Ryan and Jackie).

Tom is a Vietnam veteran, having proudly served in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (Seabees). After leaving the Navy, Tom continued his 30+ year construction career as a crane and heavy equipment operator and long-time member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49. Tom was most well-known as a tower crane operator and took part in the construction of many of Rochester's most iconic buildings, including the Gonda Building and newer portions of St. Mary's Hospital, as well as a number of Minneapolis high rises.

His favorite place in the world was his garage with his tools and cars. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren, and his hobbies included watching NASCAR, working on his own cars, and fixing/improving anything he could get his hands on (whether it needed it or not). He was also an avid reader with a particular interest in current events and military history.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota – State Veterans Service Building, Floor 3, St. Paul, MN 55155, www.davmn.org/foundation