Jan. 29, 1940 – Aug. 21, 2013
LOCKPORT – Michael W. Shanley, whose lengthy career in public service included a two-year term as mayor of Lockport, died Wednesday in Buffalo General Medical Center. He was 73.
A Lockport native, he was a 1957 graduate of DeSales Catholic High School, attended Erie County Technical Institute and served in the Army National Guard.
Mr. Shanley was a Lockport firefighter and police officer before he served as 5th Ward alderman from 1969 to 1971 and alderman-at-large from 1973 to 1975. He scored an upset in the race for mayor in 1975, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office since 1962. In his bid for re-election two years later, he was defeated by Joan T. Radecke, who became the city’s first female mayor.
Mr. Shanley, who also worked as a salesman for a pretzel and potato chip company and for Modern Disposal Services, was named director of the Niagara County Civil Defense Department in 1980. It became the county’s Emergency Management Office. He served until 1991, when the office was merged with the fire coordinator’s office.
He was appointed as a rehabilitation specialist in Lockport’s Community Development Department in 1997.
The brother of former Niagara County Legislature Chairman Richard M. Shanley, he was a past chairman of the City of Lockport Democratic Party.
A member of All Saints Parish and the Knights of Columbus, he was a past commander of Leo Dolan Post 410, American Legion; the Navy Marine Club; and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
In addition to his brother, survivors include two sons, Kevin and Brian; two daughters, Susan Mangano and Mary Ann Dworak; two sisters, Mary Ellen Wick and Barbara Kleinhans; and his former wife, Donna.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday in All Saints Parish, 76 Church St.
LOCKPORT – Michael W. Shanley, whose lengthy career in public service included a two-year term as mayor of Lockport, died Wednesday in Buffalo General Medical Center. He was 73.
A Lockport native, he was a 1957 graduate of DeSales Catholic High School, attended Erie County Technical Institute and served in the Army National Guard.
Mr. Shanley was a Lockport firefighter and police officer before he served as 5th Ward alderman from 1969 to 1971 and alderman-at-large from 1973 to 1975. He scored an upset in the race for mayor in 1975, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office since 1962. In his bid for re-election two years later, he was defeated by Joan T. Radecke, who became the city’s first female mayor.
Mr. Shanley, who also worked as a salesman for a pretzel and potato chip company and for Modern Disposal Services, was named director of the Niagara County Civil Defense Department in 1980. It became the county’s Emergency Management Office. He served until 1991, when the office was merged with the fire coordinator’s office.
He was appointed as a rehabilitation specialist in Lockport’s Community Development Department in 1997.
The brother of former Niagara County Legislature Chairman Richard M. Shanley, he was a past chairman of the City of Lockport Democratic Party.
A member of All Saints Parish and the Knights of Columbus, he was a past commander of Leo Dolan Post 410, American Legion; the Navy Marine Club; and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
In addition to his brother, survivors include two sons, Kevin and Brian; two daughters, Susan Mangano and Mary Ann Dworak; two sisters, Mary Ellen Wick and Barbara Kleinhans; and his former wife, Donna.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday in All Saints Parish, 76 Church St.