Harry Shannon (businessman)

Harry Shannon was born on March 9, 1890, in County Tipperary, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. After working in various jobs, including as a salesman and as a delivery boy for a bakery, he saved up enough money to start his own business. In 1919, Shannon founded the Shannon Construction Company in Boston, which specialized in building roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. The company quickly grew and became known for its high-quality work and reliability. During the Great Depression, Shannon expanded his business by taking on government contracts for public works projects. In the 1940s, the company shifted its focus to building military bases and other defense-related projects for the United States government. Shannon was also actively involved in politics and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention several times. He was a close associate of Boston Mayor James Michael Curley and helped him win several elections. After retiring in the 1950s, Shannon devoted his time and resources to philanthropy. He donated millions of dollars to various charities and organizations, including the Catholic Church and the American Cancer Society. Harry Shannon died on May 20, 1964, at the age of 74. His legacy lives on through his successful construction company and his charitable contributions.