John R. Shanks Jr.

John R. Shanks Jr., 82, a lifelong resident of Brockton, passed away April 22, 2018. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and was a fiscal accountant for the V.A. Hospital for 25 years until retirement. John was a member and past commander of William E. Carter American Legion Post #16 in Mattapan. He was dedicated to the Brockton community working the voting polls, umpiring and coaching baseball, basketball, and football including over 20 years at Cardinal Spellman High School. His happy nature and quick wit made him an exceptional bartender for many years. He loved animals and enjoyed deep-sea fishing, camping, bowling, playing pool and watching Westerns. John will be greatly missed by all who knew him. John was the son of the late John R. and Rosetta (Jones) Shanks; beloved husband of Bernice B. (Raymond) Shanks for 59 years; loving father of Ray Shanks and his wife Francine of Palmdale, CA, Scott Shanks and his wife Patti of Raynham, Donna Andrade and her husband Lourenco of Brockton, Diane Shanks-Correia and her husband Antonino of Brockton, Darren Shanks and his wife Lisa of Brockton, and the late John R. “Butch” Shanks III, and Cazandra Coleman and her husband Daaron Boyd of Randolph, a niece that was more like a daughter to him; grandfather of 8; great-grandfather of 2; grandfather of many extended grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother of Patricia Terry of Dorchester and the late Henry Shanks, Eugenia Sheffield and Juanda Drumgold. John also leaves a host of additional family and friends. All are welcome to calling hours Sunday 4-8 p.m. in Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, funeral Mass Monday at 11 a.m. in Christ the King Parish and burial at Melrose Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John R. Shanks Jr., please visit our floral store.