He dreamt of being the very best grandfather and watching his grandbabies grow up. Despite his physically large and sometimes loud presence, he was a quiet, selfless, and loving soul who treated all others as equals.

He was a fierce protector for all those he loved and spent his time sharing stories of his pride and love for his children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He accepted and welcomed all people with open arms and had a way of making you feel special and safe with him. Shane’s love was unconditional, his support unwavering, and his notions of family were not bound by blood, time, nor space. Each role he took to be the most important and fulfilled them with his whole heart. Shane held many titles: son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and friend. Their love for one another brought them and their children of previous marriages together to form a beautiful blended family, completed by their youngest born, Isabelle, all of whom he adored and carried so much pride for. Shane’s job with Halifax Transit led him to meet his soul-mate and wife Shelley (a fellow transit union member), with whom he chose to build a family. Shane gave himself to this job with grace and humility, with a continued goal of providing safety and security for those he represented. As the respected, hard-working President he was, he tried to bring his honour and morals into every difficult decision he had to make for the betterment and protection of his fellow union members. Special thanks to VP Ray for the valued time they shared in office together and stepping up to fill the role during Shane’s illness.

They were his formidable teammates, with whom he would share a stronger bond than blood and who would help him to reach his full potential as the union president of ATU 508. His years with Halifax Transit held many chapters, but his most favoured were those spent with his work family Jeannie and Kenny. This Halifax Transit job allowed his passion for helping others to flourish, as he journeyed forth alongside his work family to become a union leader. Following his years as a DHS Spartan, he carried these traits into his professions as head of security at a local cabaret bar, animal control officer, and finally in his union position with the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Shane was a natural born leader and protector. He was later known for his athleticism and strength playing basketball, football, and his most beloved rugby, going on to later pass this passion onto nephews and children. Shane was well known within his community throughout life, initially for his adventurous nature and the camaraderie he shared with friends, acquaintances and teammates he had. He reluctantly leaves behind the love of his life and wife, Shelley O’Leary and their wonderful children whom he adored, Shayla Vandenhoven (Andrew), Pierre Poirier (Shelby), Meaghan O’Leary, Julie Weber (Eric), Emelie Poirier (Jordan), and Isabelle O’Leary his beloved nieces and nephews, Roland O’Leary (Heather), Ryan Moxsom, Brenton Moxsom (Ashley), Alex Wallace, Katelin Gambino (Matt), and Stephanie Burke (Ryan) his treasured grandchildren, Lucie Poirier and Marcus Vandenhoven along with those he had been eagerly waiting to meet, Tucker Vandenhoven as well as his honorary daughters, Hsi Ting (Janet) Chiang and Rachel d’Armiento (Eddie) and her parents Pino and Annette d’Armiento along with many other honorary daughters from years as an international student host his many cherished friends that became family and his sweet pets: Bailey, Charlie, and Sammy. He is survived by his mother, Marie George (Mervyn) brother, Michael O’Leary (Laurie) and sisters, Linda Moxsom-Skinner (Tom) and Dawn Wallace (Bob).

Shane was born the youngest of 4 children on Novemto Marie George and the late Roland Michael O’Leary. He was predeceased by his step-father Jean Paul Ayotte, and beloved nephew Davin Moxsom. Shane Timothy O’Leary, aged 60 of Dartmouth, passed away Novemsurrounded by family after his short, but courageous battle with cancer.

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