HARTFORD, Conn. – Francis P. Shanahan Sr., 78, of Southington, Conn., died on Tuesday, April 12, at Hartford Hospital.

He was a former Bristol, Conn., resident and was born on April 23, 1926, in New Haven, Conn., a son of the late William H. and Mary E. (Connelley) Shanahan. He graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater.

He was a graduate of Hopkins School in 1947 and Providence College in 1951. He worked briefly for G. Fox and Co. and completed their management training program. He also worked for Hamilton Standard as a buyer. He was president and co-founder of Redstone Manufacturing, Bristol, Conn., and president of Northern Power Components in Newington, Conn. He retired from Hartford Tool and Die, where he was the sales manager for 11 years.

Upon his retirement, he worked with the clients of B.A.R.C. and immensely enjoyed doing so. He was also a justice of the peace, a notary public and a member of Providence College Alumni Association. He would spend summers in Monmouth and enjoyed relaxing on the shore of Lake Cochnewagon in Maine with his dog, Benz.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Suzanne (Small) Shanahan of Southington, Conn.; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Frances and John Corso of Farmington, Conn.; his three sons and daughters-in-law, F. Peter and Barbara Shanahan of Sullivan, David S. and Theresa Shanahan of Kingfield and Stephen B. and Kathy Shanahan of Bristol, Conn.; his brother, William H. Shanahan of New Haven, Conn.; his sister, Mary E. Sullivan of Guilford, Conn.; his grandchildren, Christopher and Alison Corso, Ryan, Molly, Erin, Brian, Beau, Libby, Haley and Andrew Shanahan and Kyle Ross; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his two brothers, John F. and Robert E. Shanahan.