Donald Robert Shannon

Donald Robert Shannon of New York and New Jersey signed off the air for the last time on June 28th, 2023. He was 74. In life, Don Bob, as his fans and family knew him, was a renowned disc jockey at New York’s WBCSFM 101.1 for most of his career.

Born Donald Keith Bombard Jr. in Syracuse, New York on December 16th, 1948, Don Bob recognized his passion for radio and music before he was eight years old. By the time he was in his teens, Don was working at a local station and making a name for himself as Don Bombard. He attended Syracuse University and afterwards began his career at WOLF and WNDR in Syracuse. Eventually he moved to Pittsburgh in 1977 where he worked at 13Q (WKTQ). His career would ultimately bring him to WYNY and then WCBSFM in 1981 where he earned a name for himself as one of the greats of primetime radio. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who knew more about the music they were playing than the newly renamed Bob Shannon. He worked at WCBSFM from 1981 until 2005 during the afternoon drive time slot and then again from 2007 until 2011 when he took a medical leave of absence and then eventually retired.

When he wasn’t on the air, Don was a prankster and collector of music and records. His record collection totals in the thousands and was one of his most prized possessions. Don was also an expert music historian which resulted in him co-authoring the book “Behind the Hits: Inside Stories of Classic Pop and Rock and Roll.”

Don was also a great lover of animals and sat on the board for Bideawee in the late 1980s. He was always ready to rescue an animal in need by adopting several stray cats and facilitating TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs in New York and New Jersey. In later years, when he could not have pets of his own, he took great interest in the mischievous activities of his two “grandcats.”

Don Bob leaves behind two children, Avery Brooke Shannon, a veterinarian, and Scott Lane Shannon a general sales manager in NY. His sister, Terry Luke of Buffalo, NY, and nephew Arthur Ben Luke will also mourn his absence.

Funeral services will be held at Michalski Funeral Home, Jersey City on July 7th at 11am (https://www.michalskifh.com). Afterwards, graveside services and interment will take place at 1pm at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Bideawee in New York City to help continue Don’s legacy of loving animals (https://www.bideawee.org/).

In his own words “We’ll be seeing you.”

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