Shane,how do I begin to say goodbye to someone so young, who I watched grow up, who I loved and who become a man who taught children and loved everything about that profession? You were taken from us too early and we are all hurting and realing from this surreal event. I know that you are with Grumpsie and that is a comfort for me at this time. Please watch over your mom and the rest of the family as we could all use a little extra protection. Love you, Shane. Rest in peace..til we meet again. xoxox ~Kathy~

There will never be another person like you, Shane. I, along with everyone else, will miss you greatly.

To Shane: You were a great guy to grow up with. I have a lot of fond memories that I will carry with me always. You kept everyone smiling and laughing. May you rest in peace.
To Shane's mom: You must be sooo proud of your son and the life he led. You did a tremendous job! Just know that Shane has left a lasting impression on everyone who was blessed to have met him. I will never forget him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Shane's family,his girlfriend and his friends. I grew up with Shane since elementary school,he was always smiling and friendly. I had bumped into him at a Halloween party many years ago and he was the same Shane. I was shocked to hear the news of his passing. I don't know why these things happen but all I can think is he must have been an angel on earth and he finished his work here on earth. Fly with the angels Shane XOXO

Myles
I was so sorry to hear about your son
my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. this is something you never get over but just take one day at a time and somehow we get thru it.
take care

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Rest in Peace

Rest in peace, brother. We'll miss you at lunch, on hallway patrol, down in your little corner of the world. When my homeroom was told we were all in shock and little Helena said "I'm gonna miss him". It was an amazing moment as she instantaneously said what we all felt. Students talked about how "cool" you were and how much they enjoyed your class and your "sense of humor". We will all miss you, buddy.

Shane was a true colleague. He loved to stop by and chat about life, good and bad, and always has a humorous quip when our visit ended. The kids loved him because he made them feel important and was already to assist them. He wore his teacher "hat" well.
We will miss him here at the Winthrop MIddle School.
Rosalie Marino/ school nurse WMS.

I was blessed to have known such a wonderful person.

Although I only knew Shane for two years, his passing came as a crushing blow. We worked together at WMS. Everyday I would save my sports page for him and he would never forget to thank me. Shane treated absolutely everyone with kindness. Anyone who knew him was better for it. I went to church today and a sad song was sung. I knelt and cried. I tried to compose myself and realized communion was almost over. I sprinted down the aisle only to have the eucharistic minister turn away not knowing I was there. It was so embarrassing but I swear I heard a little laugh from heaven. God bless you Shane.

Shane- it seems unfair that your life on Earth was so short, but the Lord must have bigger plans for you. You were always a very smart and entertaining classmate, and I'm sure that legacy carried on into your professional career and will carry on in the hearts of those closest to you. You are missed...My deepest condolences to your family and friends. Peace be with you...

Mr. Rigney you are missed. The kids all loved you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace

Words can not begin to express what Shane means to me and my family. He was a friend, a brother, a listener, and a helper. He was so much to so many. We will miss Shane every minute of every day. To Jen and Shane's family, we are here for you all the days of our life. With tear filled eyes and broken hearts, Orlando and Traci Pacheco

Shane you will truly be missed by many... My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends Rest in Peace.
Reagan

Shane, Your ready smile and quit wit will be sadly missed by all who were lucky to know you. I always enjoyed talking to you in the hallways and the teachers' room. Rest in peace, dear lad. Slainte'

I was glad that we had a chance to get to know each other over the last year and a half. I always enjoyed our chats in the health office and hallways.
I am glad I got to give you bandaids for your sore fingers....you always left with a smile. I hope you are resting in peace my friend and colleague. We loved you here at WMS.
Glad as well that our students got a chance to have you a teacher, a good teacher that will give them cherished memories all of their lives.
Missing you
Rosalie Marino/ School Nurse WMS

Rest in peace Shane, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I have such fond memories of Shane here at the WMS. Our weekly chats about life in general were inspiring.He always left with a smile on his face. He truly loved the kids and went out of his way to help them.
Too young to be gone but not too young to leave a beautiful legacy of life to all who knew him

Shane was only with our WMS family for a short time. He made a lasting impression on all of us who knew him.
He had a great sense of humor and was totally dedicated to helping kids.
We had weekly chats about life and when he left my office I always felt that I was lucky to know him.
He never let daily "issues" get in his way of his work. The kids truly loved him and that is what it was all about.
I am glad I had the pleasure of working with him. I loved giving him bandaids all the time as well.
Fondly,
Rosalie Marino/ school nurse and coworker.

Mr. Rigney, our school and computer class will never be the same. These past 2 years of computers have been amazing. The night before Thursday I realized I had computers and I was so thankful and I was looking forward to it. You were taken from this world way too soon. You deserved a longer life. Everyone in the school agrees and you will surely be missed. We miss you Mr. Rigney and all of us at WMS hope to see you in Heaven soon.

It's only been a few days, but the void is still there in my heart. I can't believe that you are gone, but I know that you are watching over us and will guide us when we need you to. You touched so many lives, and it was such an unbelievable outpouring of support from your friends,students, family, and co-workers. Rest in peace, Shane. Til we meet again. xoxox

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. May you all find peace and happiness in your memories of Shane. With all our love, Tracy and Mark Reardon.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

All our love,

The Ramsay Family

I remember Shane most for his infectious smile, positive spirit and warm heart. He will be thought of fondly forever. God Bless you all; I hope your sadness can be comforted with pleasant memories of his laughter and thoughts of all of the good he offered to all those he knew.

Knowing you throughout the years from Mars Park and the Higgins was a great time. You were a great guy and very well respected. You will be missed. Rest In Peace Shane. (David Brophy)

During my days at school, my teachers are always nice, caring and supportive. Among them was Mr. Shane Rigney. He was more than just a teacher, he was a friend to everyone who knew him. He had an exceptional sense of humour, and a positive outlook. I remember always saying "hello" to him in the halls, or whenever I saw him. He would greet me with a smile, as he did with all of the other students in the school. It was heartbreaking when I found out the terrible news, and I broke into heavy tears. I have thought about him, day after day, and I always hear his cheerful voice in my mind, and remember all of the fun times he and the students had. Although I was only at WMS since last year, it was a genuine blessing to have known such a great person. He will be the brightest light in our minds, he will be the brightest star in the sky, he will be in our hearts forever.

Our family was so saddened to hear the news of "Mr. Rigney". Although I only met him the few times for open houses and parent conferences it was obvious that he loved teaching and the kids loved his class. From reading all the wonderful messages about your son I can see how much he will be missed. I hope they can be a source of comfort to you all. With loving thoughts and prayers.

To Shane's Family and Friends,
The students and staff along with the entire Winthrop Middle School community share in your loss of such a wonderful, caring young man who connected so well with his students and friends at Winthrop Middle School. Shane was a dedicated teacher who cared deeply about his students and was always there to help out when needed. Shane will be missed by all of the students and the staff of Winthrop Middle School.

My deepest sympathies to all who knew Shane. I had the pleasure of meeting him through the NSFFL. He was always in a good mood and a pleasure to be around. He will surely be missed by all.

We were saddened and shocked by the news of "Mr. Rigney". Although I had only met him the few times for Open Houses and parent conferences it was obvious that he loved teaching and the kids loved him and his class. Reading all these wonderful messages is a testament to the type of person and teacher he was. I hope they can be a source of comfort to you all. With loving thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers. You will be greatly missed.

Mr.Rigney wasn't just a teacher, but a friend. If you needed help whether in school or a personal matter he was there. He was one of the most amazing,funny and caring people that I have been honored to meet and have them as a part in my life. Mr. Rigney was a teacher to listen to and respect, and too build a relationship with. I know me and him were the best of friends a student and teacher could be. a pale and a confidant he was to me. He knew more things about me than most of my friends and some of my family did not know. A great friend, A well-respected teacher, & an all around great man. As a friend i loved him and he will be missed everyday until we meet again, things will never be the same. gone but never forgotten. R.I.P. Shane Rigney <3

Shane and Beth, I will always treasure our holidays together.
Always a gentleman in our home, and I will miss you very much. Beth, I am truly sorry for your loss. Shane I will not forget the treasured times we all had together. Love, MAMIE

Jenn,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Shane's loved ones. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you through this. Love, Sherry

My thoughts and prayers go out to Shane's family. Whenever I saw Shane he had a smile on his face. That is how I will remember him.

Shane, you will be missed by many. Please watch over Jenn, she loves and misses you very much. God bless you.

I worked w/Shane at Salem Liquors a few years ago when he was working towards his masters and teaching in the Everett School system. He was so proud of his accomplishment, he beamed like I had never seen. His passion for working with kids and his love of his Family is what I will remember about him most. I am quite sad today at finding out that he is gone. I always looked for him and hoped to run into him when I was at the Liquor Store. His sense of humor and kindness was the best. The world is a lot less happier with him not in it.

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Shane off Washington Street in Peabody. I got to know Shane well when his Mom would drop him off at my house very early before she went to work. Shane and myself would watch television and eat breakfast together before we each went off to school. As a young boy Shane had the ability to make people feel better about themselves, and his constatnt smile would then make you smile. I have great memories of Shane and myself attending three basketball games in the early 1990's watching the Celtics play Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls at the old Boston Garden, and also going to see wrestling there as well with him. I did not see Shane for a number of years, and this past July he showed up at my door stating he was in the neighborhood and wanted to say hello. I was not in a good mood because I had just got laid off from my longtime job. Shane shared his experience with being laid off, and it made me fell a lot better. Shane had the same caring personality at 31 that I had observed when I first met him when he was seven. Beth I do not know what to say to you other than I remember him telling me when he was 11 or 12 that how proud he was of you for working multiple jobs to support him. Being eight years older than Shane it should of been the other way around, but he was an example to me of how to be positive and how to treat everybody the same. My prayers are with Beth, Shane's Girlfriend, and the rest of his family.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family Shane, as well as all the lives you touched, including your past and current students who will forever hold you in thier hearts.

Mr. Rigney,
Our paths crossed not only at WMS but we were also lucky enough to have known you as part of the North Shore Flag Football Family. If it wasn't for you we would never have had that great experience with you as our coach. My son Vinny always spoke about how great a teacher you were and how you made class a good experience for the kids. He was extremely saddened when he heard the news. It was clear to see you formed an unbreakable bond with the students by the reaction to the news of your oh so untimely death. We hope that you continue to send strength to them from heaven and may you rest in peace.
Sandra Sparacino
Vincent Sparacino's mom

It was an honor and pleasure to have known you. You
always had an amazing smile, laugh, and constant
joyous personality that lit up the room. I have heard
from so many how great you have been with kids and
that memory of you will live on. Rest in peace Shane...