We are saddened to hear of the passing of respected country doctor Dr Kevin William Shannon (SPC 1952-54) surrounded by his family on 10 May 2026.
We extend our condolences to his wife Barbara and children, Mary, Paul (SPC 1958-68), Clare, Anne, Margaret and Lucy and their extended families.
A Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Bernard’s Church in Belmont, Geelong, on 19 May.
Kevin is remembered as a respected doctor in Geelong from the 1970s, and before that, in Warracknabeal from the early 1960s.
He wasn’t shackled by professional terms, and when once referred to by a medico in a hospital as a GP (general practitioner), Kevin replied he was a country doctor, not a GP!
Kevin was a full-time boarder at SPC from Ascot Vale, in Melbourne. He transferred from St Bernard’s, Essendon, in 1952 and began his Leaving studies, where he excelled, academically, sporting as well as devoting himself to his faith and community.
He was a Prefect in 1954 after repeating his Matriculation year (which was common practice at the time) and was also named Dux of Latin and received Special Prize for Christian Doctrine. He was president of the St Vincent de Paul Society and Councillor of Our Lady’s Sodality; executive member of the Holy Name Society and secretary of the Literary and Debating Society and a member of the Altar Society.
An experienced public speaker, Kevin gained third and second placings in the Purton Oratory finals of 1953 and 1954 respectively.
He was also vice-captain of the Boards in 1953 and captain in 1954, a member of the First XVIII Football team and captain of the Second XVIIII Football premiership side in his matric year.
