Dan was born in Detroit, Michigan. He served in the U.S Navy, was a sales associate for 25 years, and was a well-respected shop steward at Bloomingdale's NYC. He loved his family, friends, animals, and the ocean. He loved swimming, riding his bike, Halloween, and theatre. He had a magnetic personality with many charms and many talents. He was quite a jokester, and is well-known for his Donald Duck and Chewbacca impressions.

Proceeded in his death were Donald and Dorothy Shaughnessy (parents).
He is survived by his wife, Lois Shaughnessy, and two daughters, Bridget and Mia Shaughnessy of Neponsit, New York, and five siblings: Kitty (Howard) Turner of Kent, Ohio, John (Sandy) Shaughnessy of Tallahassee, Flordia, David (Violet) Shaughnessy of Safety Harbor, Florida, James Shaughnessy of Hudson, Florida, Jennifer (Michael) Memmel of New Port Richey, Florida. He is also survived by 5 nieces and nephews and many friends.