Obituary of Deacon Frank J. Shaughnessy

Shaughnessy, Deacon Frank J., age 92 of Hamburg, December 1, 2017. Faithful husband of Barbara (nee Vaeth). Loving father of Marie Therese (David) Kersten, Martin (Judith), Bernard (Linda), Mary Rose (Michael) Cook, Margaret Mary, Maria (Andrew) Walker, Jean Marie (Timothy) Lipinski and Peter (Anabela) Shaughnessy. Brother of the late John and David (late Barbara) Shaughnessy. Also survived by 23 wonderful grandchildren and a large extended family. Friends called at the DONALD M. DEMMERLEY FUNERAL HOME, INC., 21 Pierce Avenue, Hamburg on Sunday, December 3 from 7-9 PM and Monday, December 4 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at SS. Peter & Paul RC Church, 66 East Main Street, Hamburg on Tuesday, December 5 at 10:00 AM. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna. Flowers are gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Diocesan Pro Life Office. Mr. Shaughnessy was a World War II Navy veteran, worked as administrator at the West Seneca Developmental Center and was a Deacon at SS. Peter & Paul RC Church in Hamburg. Deacon Frank also served as chaplain at the Childrens Psychiatric Center and the Juvenile Detention Center. Online guest register at www.demmerleyfuneralhome.com. Born in Rochester, NY to Frank and Mary Norton Shaughnessy, he was raised in Rochester attending St. Monica's grammar school and West High School. Frank enlisted in the Navy Air Corps in 1944 where he trained at Yale University during WW II. Frank continued his education in Engineering at the University of Rochester, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1945. Frank was an avid baseball player, playing at Yale University and the Rochester Semi-Pro Baseball League, a farm team for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After spending several years discerning a religious vocation with the Trappists (or Gethsemane, KY and the Brothers of the Good Shepard in Albuquerque, MN), he married Barbara Mary Vaeth, also of Rochester, in 1960 and had 8 children. Frank was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in 1980 by Bishop Edward Head. During his active years in the Diaconate, he served as chaplain to the Juvenile Detention Center and the Children's Psychiatric Center. He served the parish of SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg, NY. Professionally, Frank was a Social Worker, having acquired his M.S.W. from the University of Buffalo. He worked for various NYS facilities as an Administrator across New York State, finishing his career at the West Seneca Developmental Center where he retired in 1987. Frank was very active in his personal life. Devoting his life to Pro Life work, he was an active sidewalk counselor and he also co-directed a Charismatic Prayer Group at SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg for over 30 years. Frank was a published author, having compiled many writings in his book, "From the Heart of Jesus to the Heart of Mary." He was an avid musician, being involved for many years in the Music Ministry at his parish, SS. Peter & Paul. He loved to play the guitar, piano, banjo and dabbled with a few other instruments.