Shane Michael Connor of Bear, DE put down his hands on Monday, August 15, 2022, after an epic battle with cancer. He was 50 years old.

Shane grew up in Newark, Delaware, the wild middle child of James and Sharon Connor. A born fighter, Shane survived an adolescence marked by car wrecks, earthquakes, and a close call with a train. At six-foot-five and bearing wallet chains and dragon tattoos, he was hard to miss. He was a natural leader with particular charm over ladies, animals, and children. He loved heavy metal, Dungeons & Dragons, reptiles, family cookouts, frisbee golf, and being contrary. He was beloved and indulged far and wide, as infamous as much for his smile as for the havoc that he wrought at family gatherings.

As a young man, Shane spent time with family in Cape May, New Jersey and Northern California, where he learned to quiet his inner dragons. He earned his G.E.D. from the State of Delaware and went on to hold a lifelong career as a Master Painter, a profession that brought him great personal satisfaction. Shane persisted at his work with Cassidy's Painting in New Castle throughout two years of cancer treatment. When he was too sick to work, he used his time to complete a life's goal of reading the entire Gunslinger series by Stephen King, a favorite author he shared with his mom and sister.

Defiant to the end, Shane defied all expectations and stuck around long enough for his sons graduate high school, to share a drink with his eldest, and to see his fiftieth birthday. He remained stubbornly optimistic through it all, with strength and perseverance that at times seemed superhuman-and yet comes as no surprise at all to those who knew him.

Shane is preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Lynn Connor (nee Wister) and brother Shawn Edward Connor. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Angela (Dionisi) Connor; sons, Seth Michael and Jacob Quinn Connor; father, James "Jim" Connor; sister, Shannon Connor Winward; step son, Alex Alexis III; beloved nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, and close friends.

A celebration of life for Shane will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Shane's memory to the memorial fund established in his name. All contributions will help to cover final expenses and support his dependents in this time of transition. Please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/3pc2bx-in-memory-of-shane