Nevermind’s Shannon Yates passes away
Shannon Yates, executive chef
A beloved restaurant pioneer, gourmet chef and owner of Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery in Cape Coral died Monday.
A social media post from Nevermind stated Shannon Yates, 49, passed away Monday afternoon at Cape Coral Hospital. On Aug. 13, the restaurant disclosed Yates was battling COVID-19.
“It is with sadness that the Yates and Nevermind family announce the passing of Shannon Yates,” reads a Facebook post from the restaurant. “Our family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time.”
Warmly referred to as “Shamrock Shannon,” Yates made a lasting impact on the city both in the kitchen and in the community.
A Cape Coral High School graduate, Yates cultivated his craft in Southwest Florida and opened Nevermind in 2012. His passion and direction helped create one of the more popular night-out destinations in the city, and he played a major role in giving back to the community.
Yates and Nevermind have constantly stepped up to the plate to either host or donate to local organizations that make a positive impact. In May, Yates and Nevermind donated food to the Sam Galloway Jr. & Friends Soup Kitchen Benefit. They’ve hosted charity barbecue events, fundraisers and just last month played host to the “School’s Out, Hunger’s Not” campaign.
Yates was also bestowed the Cape Coral Police Department’s Community Partner Award for 2017, given to any citizen or business that has assisted the Police Department in any significant endeavor. He was presented with a plaque for his contributions to the Cape Coral Police Athletic League.
“Shannon is the innovative creator of some of the most delicious meals this side of Southwest Florida, but to narrow his abilities with such an exclusive label would be a grave injustice to his larger-than-life character,” said CCPD’s current Police Chief Anthony Sizemore, in a 2018 statement. “He truly is an all-around great person who selflessly dedicates himself to a cause that is shaping the lives of tomorrow’s leaders in a way that they will never forget.”
Many community members, friends and leaders shared their memories of Yates.
Cape Coral District 4 Councilmember Jennifer Nelson said, “Shannon Yates was a pivotal part of our community for many years. Not only did his culinary prowess stand out, but so did his vision with many initiatives in both Fort Myers and Cape Coral. He guided me through many issues that arose in our city. He was a giver with the biggest heart and best hugs. He believed in our city and liked the direction it was going. He will be deeply missed.”
Cape Coral’s own Dane Eagle, secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “So incredibly heartbroken by this. I followed Shannon from Cru to Lush and finally to Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery – my absolute favorite restaurant and hideout. He was larger than life and brought a vision never before seen to SWFL, which could hold its own anywhere. Our community is at a true loss.
“Shannon always went out of his way to greet me and make me feel at home,” he continued. “I celebrated a few birthdays with family at Nevermind, knowing he’d make the occasion special, and he was my go-to whenever I was hosting friends or politicos from out of town, to showcase the very best Cape Coral has to offer.”
Former Cape Coral Mayor Joe Mazurkiewicz, a football coach of Yates in his youth, wrote on social media, “Cape Coral lost a great treasure today. Shannon Yates was all about personality, living life to its full potential, and making us all and this place better because he was here. When I coached him in football he always played bigger than he was. He had a zest for life even back then. As a businessman it was the same, his greatest strength was his personality and his big heart. So while I mourn his passing, I celebrate his life, his persona, his heart and his love that he shared so freely with everyone who knew him.”
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