Daniel Jason Shannon
May 23, 1971 ~ October 31, 2024
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Daniel Jason Shannon. He was 53 years old and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Dan was a man of many passions, the most cherished of which were his love for family, cooking, telling jokes, watching movies/shows and music. He could quote most Christopher Guest or Mel Brooks movies. A prolific and gifted chef, he had an unparalleled talent for turning everyday meals into unforgettable feasts. His work was a place of joy and creativity, where he would spend decades experimenting with flavors and sharing his love of food with those he loved most. Whether preparing a simple dinner or an elaborate holiday spread, every dish was made with care and devotion. It could be Christmas, Thanksgiving, someone’s birthday, or just a random Sunday—if Dan was there, you knew you were going to eat like royalty.
Dan graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York in 1995. He went on to work for Chef Charlie Palmer at Aureole in New York City and was chosen to open Aureole’s catering division, Astra, on both the Upper East Side of NYC and Astra West in Los Angeles. Following a brief stint in Charlottesville, VA, where he opened the Farm Shop for Kluge Estate Vineyard, he returned to Charlie Palmer’s catering business, the Sterling Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. He owned and operated a successful catering business in Las Vegas for 9 years. Prior to living in Asheville, NC, he worked at Nana Steak and Mothers & Sons Trattoria in Durham.
Dan loved to make people laugh. Whether he was quoting a line from a funny movie or entertaining you with his quick wit, Dan was a true comedian. He charmed everyone with his energy and sense of humor.
A lifelong music lover, Dan could always be found with a tune in his heart and a song on his lips. His playlist was as varied as his interests, from classic rock to jazz, and he found solace in the rhythm of life. For Dan, music was a way to express emotion, creativity and even sadness. His favorite artists included the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Yes, Tame Impala, John Coltrane, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, Cocteau Twins, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, and many, many more.
Above all, he valued his family—his greatest pride. A loving husband, father, brother, and son, his love for his family knew no bounds. His legacy of warmth, laughter, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Any time Dan walked into a room, you felt the environment light up and he brought so much positive and loving energy.
Rest in peace, Daniel. You will be forever loved and remembered for your character, your many gifts and talents, and the way you made everyone around you happy.
Daniel is survived by his children, Patrick Shannon, Caroline Shannon and Victoria Shannon; the mother of his children, Stacy Shannon; his father, Richard W. Shannon; and his siblings and in-laws: Mike Shannon, Tim & Marianne Shannon, Gabe & Molly Auble, and Michael & Kelly Keen; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Patrick Shannon, his mother, Victoria Shannon, and his sister-in-law, Anne Shannon.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 30th from 2:00-5:00 PM at The Shepherd’s Church, 6051 Tryon Rd., Cary, NC. Please RSVP: kkeen@shepherds.org
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Healing Transitions of Raleigh. Click here to donate.
Services
Celebration of Life: November 30, 2024 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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My deepest condolences to the Shannon family. You all hold a very special place in heart. I cherish the memories we made when you lived in the Shenango Valley. I am sending love, peace and strength to all.
With love,
Janet
You had a gentle heart, and such a kind demeanor. You will be missed. You never knew it, but I’ve bragged about you to my kids. Thank you for the impact that you made on the world.
Until I see you again. Goodbye
Your Amber
Today, we remember and honor Dan Shannon, a proud Irishman with a heart as big as his smile. Danny had a rare gift for brightening every room he entered, filling it with laughter, warmth, and joy. Whether it was through his belly laughs, deep conversations, or simple acts of kindness, he left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Danny touched so many hearts, lifting up others with his spirit and strength. His memory will live on, cherished by all he inspired and loved. Godspeed, Danny. You will never be forgotten.
If you sawed Dan Shannon in half, you would find he was filled, actually stuffed, with love for his children, family, and friends. That’s what kept the smile on his face. Danny sincerely cared about cooking, especially cooking for his family and friends. Danny deeply enjoyed music and loved to share songs, albums, and concert recordings with everyone. His love for film would endlessly stream from him through quotes of the most memorable character’s. On any given day in the kitchen, you could hear Dan shout out – “Mr. Hilltop!!” as screamed by Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein. And then, whether you took the bait or not, he would follow with Wilder’s, “If it were not for this continuous stream… of motor impulses, we would collapse like a bunch of broccoli!”- hoping you’d be right there with him.
I’ve chosen some other quotes below for Danny himself to carry along his journey and for each of us to reflect on. It can’t be stated enough how deep and wide Chef Shannon’s connections were to his fellow Chefs, Mentors, and Industry Professionals. Dan was Nationwide, and his circle was vast. He graciously shared every bit of culinary knowledge he was trained with and learned along the way.
Let us all break some bread together, then, near and far, to console one another as we let songs and sounds fill the air.
“The pleasure of the table belongs to all ages, to all conditions, to all countries, and to all areas; it mingles with all other pleasures, and remains at last to console us for their departure.”
– Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
“Everybody has something to bring to the table.”
– Bob Weir
“The workman mindful of success, therefore, will naturally direct his attention to the faultless preparation of his stock, and in order to achieve this result, he will find it necessary not merely to make use of the freshest and finest goods, but also to exercise the most scrupulous care in their preparation, for, in cooking, care is half the battle.”
– Auguste Escoffier
“If you’re able to enjoy something, to devote your life to it or a reasonable amount of time and energy, it will work out for you.”
– Jerry Garcia
“Cooking is for capturing the taste of the food and then enhancing it, as a composer may take a theme and then delight us with his variations.”
– Fernand Point
“To me, that’s the key thing, the pursuit of happiness. That’s the basic, ultimate freedom.”
– Jerry Garcia
“A cook is creative, marrying ingredients in the way a poet marries words.”
– Roger Verge
“I am very honored for all the distinctions and accolades, but what I am most sensitive to is my clientele and the fact they are pleased with my food.”
– Joel Robuchon
“Kitchens should be designed around what’s truly important-fun, food, and life.”
– Daniel Boulud
“Hey Joe, remember when we used to put honey on our butts and go to the “Petting Zoo?”
– Dan Shannon
“Music is a spiritual doorway. …
Its power comes from the fact that
It plugs directly into the soul.”
– Peter Gabriel
“I like to go hear jazz late-night up in Harlem.”
– Daniel Boulud
“If I go to a nightclub, even if the music is good, if the sound system is not, I don’t stay.”
– Eric Ripert
“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have.”
– Anthony Bourdain
“Slowly you become your own man.”
– Bob Weir
“It’s not about what you achieve, it’s actually what you do for your industry and that’s what I think is important. And when people look at me and they see my achievements with various restaurants do you know what I think? I think I did more than that. What I achieved was teaching young men and young women when they were young and inspiring them.”
– Marco Pierre White
“Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors – it’s how you combine them that sets you apart.”
– Wolfgang Puck
“Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is THE BEST.”
– Frank Zappa
“What I like best about music is when time goes away.”
– Bob Weir
“We sing a little song before we eat, a little blessing before we eat, and it’s really – we’re thanking the Lord and the Earth for the food that we eat, and it really brings you together in a profound kind of way.”
– Phil Lesh
“I always say that as church falls into demise, we still have the inclination to congregate whether by a night of music or a festival, or just sitting down to listen to some vinyl.”
– Daniel Lanois
“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.”
– David Bowie
“And don’t forget music – music in the kitchen is an essential ingredient!”
– Thomas Keller
“Let there be songs to fill the air.”
– Robert Hunter
For Patrick, Anne, and Victoria
“Beyond the door, there’s peace, I’m sure
And I know there’ll be no more
Tears in heaven”
– Eric Clapton
For Mike, Tim, Molly, & Kelly
“I want to say to my sisters and my brothers
Keep the faith
When the storm flies, and the wind blows
Go on at a steady pace
When the battle is fought, and the victory is won
We can all shout together; we have overcome
We’ll talk to the Father and the Son
When we make it to the promised land.”
– Jerry Garcia
For Patrick, Caroline, and Victoria
“May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young.”
– Bob Dylan
For Danny
“Godspeed, Little Buddy”
– Joe O’Brien