in
memoriam Daniel Joseph Shannon
I
Nov. 23, 1952 – Sept. 25, 2024
t is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of our founder, Dan Shannon, retired leader of Triangle Media Partners and Triangle Digital Partners. Dan was a visionary leader whose passion for local storytelling shaped the vibrant communities of Orange, Durham and Chatham counties. Through his dedication, Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Chatham Magazine, The Triangle Weekender magazine and Heart of NC Weddings magazine thrived, becoming trusted sources for celebrating local businesses, events and people. He will be missed by the many people that he touched in all aspects of his life. Dan passed away peacefully on Sept. 25, with family by his side. He leaves behind his grieving but grateful family: Ellen Shannon, his wife and partner in life and business; his children, Emma, Rebecca, Drew and their spouses (fondly referred to as the “trifecta” by Dan): Jason, Christoph and Kelty, respectively; his mother, Joan; his siblings, Cathy, Mike, Patty, Bill and their spouses; his many nieces and nephews; and his first granddaughter, Shannon, who is named in his honor. He was eagerly awaiting the imminent arrival of his second granddaughter, Sloane, who was born Oct. 1. Born in South Bend, Indiana, Dan moved to New York in 1975 to make his name in publishing at The Knickerbocker News. He continued on to other esteemed publications, such as The New York Times Magazine, Money Magazine and People magazine. Creativity, keen media instincts, love of people and a talent for idea generation were the hallmarks of his work. He eventually made it to Connecticut, and in 1984, Emma was born. Dan and Ellen settled in Westport to grow their family with Rebecca and Drew. Some of Dan’s fondest memories were of the annual Dad & Daughter dances there, and he and Ellen loved raising their kids among the warm community in town, especially the one they found at Saugatuck Congregational Church. Laughter was one of Dan’s greatest strengths; his full-bodied guffaw rocked rooms; and his soft chuckle made your heart swell. Dan’s terrific sense of humor led him to enjoy writing freelance jokes for Jay Leno.
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chapelhillmagazine.com
November/December 2024
But mostly he entertained everyone with his quick wit, infectious humor and the ability to bring laughter to any room he entered. His only known fear in life was not being able to make you laugh. It was love at first sight when they visited Chapel Hill in 2002, and they moved here shortly thereafter. Dan and Ellen began to build Triangle Media Partners in 2006, starting with Chapel Hill Magazine. His spark of an idea has grown into a multimedia business that includes many other print and digital properties. Dan was incredibly proud to be part of our thriving Triangle community, culture and momentum for more than two decades. Dan was a fabulous friend, colleague and family member, and this was evident throughout his illness. Mail arrived for Dan almost every day from loved ones and former coworkers across the country. If Ellen had kept a guest book for him over the past few years, there would be volumes filled with entries and would include a countless number of passport stamps from Rebecca’s trips through RDU. But Dan could never have lived as long as we would want, and he told his wonderful, miraculous and kind Duke medical team repeatedly that he wanted quality over quantity. Somehow, we were all fortunate enough to get a lot of both. Many people share in our gratitude to have been in Dan’s orbit for some part of his 71 years on this pale blue dot. (Please look up Carl Sagan’s 1994 speech, “Pale Blue Dot;” Dan really loved that passage.) Dan’s impact extended beyond the pages of his publications – his passion, generosity and commitment to fostering connection will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the magazines he championed and the communities he helped grow. A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at a later date. A private interment will take place at Saugatuck Congregational Church’s Evergreen Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, Dan and his family ask you to please consider making a gift in his memory to either Book Harvest or The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. Book Harvest works to ensure every child grows up with an abundant home library and has the opportunity to build a lifelong love of reading. You can donate at bookharvest.org/donate. The Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke provides hope and empowerment to brain tumor patients as well as unparalleled care, research and education. Memorial contributions may be made at tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate. CHM