‘Dynamic force’ was director of operations
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Clark Shannon, the former director of operations at The Center in Asbury Park and a longtime supporter of the nonprofit, has died.
“He was the energizer bunny….he was a dynamic force and up until two years ago he was running The Center-a-la-Carte,” said Father Bob Kaeding, the founder of The Center which assists those living with HIV/AIDS.
Shannon first became involved in the nonprofit in 2004 as a volunteer in 2004, said The Center’s founder Father Bob Kaeding.
Later, Shannon was made director of operations when the building, located on Third Avenue just off Main Street,was completed in 2006.
For the last year Shannon has been living in a nursing home due to complications following hip and back surgery.
Kaeding said Shannon had a hard time post surgery and did not fully recover.
He then developed dementia which worsened in recent months and Shannon was put on hospice about six weeks ago.
“He stopped eating and stopped responding,” Kaeding said.
Kaeding, who keeps in close contact with Shannon’s partner Christopher Cullen, remembered Shannon as someone filled with compassion.
“He was filled absolutely with energy, compassion and love for everybody. He was a wonderful gift to me and The Center,” Kaeding said.
Shannon ran the annual three day AIDS Bike Ride sponsoring by The Center.
Last year he was honored at the organization’s annual Red Heart Gala where along with Cullen, Shannon’s friends and family attended, even if he couldn’t.
