Dr. Dennis Michael Shaughnessy was born on September 9, 1941 to Dr. Edwin J. and Alice Shaughnessy and passed away on October 10, 2018. He graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine in 1969. After completing his Residency in General Surgery through Creighton and Marshall University in West Virginia, Dennis began his lifelong dedication to helping others. In 2010, his expertise in addiction recovery was certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine. And in 2016 he was designated as Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.Dennis spent the last 20 years of his career at The Springboard Center in Midland. Beyond his technical expertise, it was his immediately obvious loyalty, compassion and faith set him apart. Former patients credited Dr. Shaughnessy with saving their lives. He will be immediately missed in the medical community.But Dennis was never only a physician. He loved life and had a persistent intellectual curiosity. He was a renaissance man – pilot, chef, ship builder, piano man, teacher, historian and philosopher. And his infectious (at times mischievous) humor was a defining characteristic. He pranked, cajoled and razzed. And he could whisper a joke in your ear and disappear before you stopped laughing. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference…” This was an important prayer for Dennis and a key he passed on to those who sought his advice, which was most everyone who crossed his path. Whether he is remembered as Dr. Shaughnessy, Dennis, Dad or Grandpa, we will forever miss his wisdom and guidance. We are all better for having known him.Dennis’ parents and brother, Jack Shaughnessy, preceded him in death. Dennis is survived by, and will be always missed by, his brother, Joseph Shaughnessy, wife Joyce Shaughnessy, daughter Bridget Mazza and husband Frank, and their daughters, Katie, Erin and Emi, and stepdaughter Heather Bethancourt and husband Matt, and their daughter, Hattie. The family will receive friends at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, 2018 with a Vigil and Rosary to be held at 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2018 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.Memorial donations in memory of Dennis may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org or 888-557-7177. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may made at www.npwelch.com. ,