Michael Gilbert Shanks

Michael Gilbert Shanks, born on June 25, 1952, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, passed away on October 23, 2026. Throughout his life, Michael was a devoted son and brother and is remembered as a warm and loving presence in the lives of his family and friends.

Michael's passions ranged from his love of riding motorcycles and WWII history to his fascination with Navy ships and Star Trek. An enthusiast of outdoor activities, he found joy in hiking and wood carving. Michael's career included significant contributions as a contractor for the US Navy at the Naval Air Station in Key West, Florida. He was also a founding member of a paintball team in California, a testament to his adventurous spirit. After retirement, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing an RV to travel full-time.

Known for his fondness for stray cats and his dedication to every feline companion he encountered, Michael leaves behind a legacy of compassion. He had an amusing sense of humor and cheered passionately for the Boston Red Sox. His mother, Doris Shanks, and sisters Brenda Saucier and Pamela Griffith, alongside nieces Erika, Chelsea, Sarah, nephew Jimmie, and best friend Charlie Owens, will cherish his memory. Michael was preceded in death by his father, Jimmie H. Shanks, and brothers, James H. Shanks and Christopher D. Shanks.

In addition to his human family, Michael is now reunited with his beloved cats, George I-IV, who no doubt provided him with much joy over the years. As the family reflects on his life, they celebrate the quirks and kindnesses that made Michael an irreplaceable part of their world.