by Julia C. Reischel

State Sen. Charles E. Shannon Jr., D-Somerville, lost his courageous battle with cancer early Tuesday, succumbing unexpectedly at 3:30 a.m. at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Shannon, 61, who had make strides towards recovering from his third bout with cancer, died from cardiac failure, caused by cumulative
stress experienced from an adverse reaction to the series of anti-rejection drugs he was taking, said Sean J. Fitzgerald, the senator’s chief of staff.

These drugs were prescribed as follow-up from a bone-marrow transplant. Reactions can cause or accelerate infection, fever, lethargy, internal fluid build-up, or a number of other non-cancer complications, he said.

“Friday, we really thought he would make it, but over the weekend the doctors told us it was going to be tough,” he said.

“I saw him yesterday and he didn’t know, but he knew,” Fitzgerald said.

Tuesday morning, State Sen. President Robert E. Travaglini, D-Boston, sent an email announcing Shannon’s death to the State House.

"It is with deep regret that I must inform you of the passing of Senator Charles Shannon this morning at Massachusetts General Hospital
after a valiant struggle battling leukemia," Travaglini said.  "Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife Dorothy and his sons, Charles Jr. and Michael."

"I was deeply saddened to learn of Charlie Shannon’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Charlie for many years and witnessed firsthand his dedication to the men and women who elected him eight times,” said Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, who for nine years served as the city’s mayor.

“I will miss his good nature, his compassion and his tireless work on behalf of his constituents. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time,” Capuano said.

"Senator Shannon was a great man and a good friend to all," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, in an e-mail to city employees.

"He remained a strong and enthusiastic champion for the city of Somerville, for which we will be forever grateful,” he said.

Shannon, who worked 20 years in the Lexington Police Department before beginning his career as a politician, had served as a State
Senator since 1991 and had won numerous honors from groups as diverse as the Boston Bar Association, the George Dilboy Post #529 Veterans of
Foreign Wars and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services.

Along many other Somerville projects, Shannon had been instrumental in the revival of Dilboy Field and had worked with State Rep. Patricia D.
Jehlen to repair the Lowell Street Bridge, which has been in disuse since 2001. Work to repair the bridge and has already begun.

“Senator Charlie Shannon was a tireless advocate for the people of the Second Middlesex District.  Lieutenant Governor Healey and I extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Dorothy, and family on their unexpected loss,” said Gov. Mitt Romney.

“Senator Shannon worked very closely with my administration to secure funding for Dilboy Field in Somerville and I am committed to working with the Senator’s family and the Legislature to name a feature of the newly renovated stadium in Senator Shannon’s honor,” said Romney.

"Nobody was expecting this.  I’m just shocked.  I feel that we’re surrounded by things that make us remember the fragility of our lives.  I think people in the State House are stunned. He was a person that people really liked." State Rep. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville.

Jehlen said she remembered Shannon fondly as a charismatic and engaging personality.  "He had a great sense of humor."

"I hated speaking after him," Jehlen said.  "He was so charismatic and funny.  He would have the audience in the palm of his hand. I remember
one time when we were speaking to some kids, and I had a prepared statement, and he just started talking about his experiences. They loved it."

Jehlen said she did not know what the political consequences of Shannon’s death would be.  "It’s been quite a while since someone died
in office," she said.  "I don’t know the protocol."

In Dec. 2004, Shannon was diagnosed with leukemia. He successfully completed a nine day chemotherapy program at MGH and was discharged in January, Fitzgerald said.

In February, Shannon underwent a bone-marrow transplant, conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He returned to work part-time in
March, while still maintaining regular outpatient appointments, he said.

Shannon re-entered the hospital March 23 to be treated for complications resulting from his bone-marrow transplant medication.

"This is a great loss for our community.  He was a dedicated public servant, and my condolences go out to his family."State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Somerville, said.

Sciortino said that he assumed there would have to be a special election to replace Shannon, but that this was not the time to discuss
it.

"I think a lot of people are shocked," he said.  "They expected him to be back in the building today, working hard."

“I haven’t often supported Republican, but my first overt political act in Somerville was to hold a sign for Charlie in 1992,” said William C. Shelton, the former president of the Mystic View Task Force.

“I was drawn to him because of his essential decency,” he said.

“Devoid of an overwhelming ego, he was always prepared to modify his position based on new evidence,” Shelton said.

"The most recent project we worked on jointly was the Green Line Extension–it affects both our districts,” said State Sen. Jarret T. Barrios, D-Somerville.

"We’re saddened by the loss, and diminished by it.  I’m shocked–there’s really not much more I have to say.  The most recent indication we had was that he was doing OK.  We thought that he was going to beat this, like he did before,” Barrios said.

“Dense communities like Somerville are ideal places city development.  Shannon understood that and worked with me and other legislators to promote investment in such transportation projects,” Barrios said.

"We also worked together on a Living Wage Bill, for which we co-authored an editorial.  Charlie really understood why a living wage
was so important.  He understood that you can’t attract people to jobs without a living wage,” he said.

"Senator Shannon was a senior member of the Senate, so in some sense, he was the eminent voice, the one who had seen it before. He had
wisdom,” he said.

"There’s a meeting I had scheduled with him for next week," Jehlen said.  "I think he would want us to just go ahead with that meeting.
He would want the Lowell St. Bridge fixed."

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lane Funeral Home at 760 Main St. in Winchester. Further details were still incomplete at press time. Lane can be reached at: (781) 729-2580.