SHEPARD, John Andrus, 87, died peacefully at homeon March 14, 2013 after a two and a half year battle against lung cancer. He handled his disease with his usual grace and calm and uncomplaining approach to life. He was born in Orange, N.J. on March 2, 1926 the son of Thomas R. and Marie (Dickinson) Shepard. He graduated from Newark Academy in 1944 loving his football and discovering his passion for teaching during summer jobs coaching underprivileged children to swim. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps which he also loved and after V-12 year at Dartmouth College, graduated from Amherst in 1949. Jack taught at Peck School in Morristown, N.J., Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA and married Mary Grindley Shepard in 1957. After 10 years at Eaglebrook he became Headmaster of the Tuxedo Park School where he continued to teach Latin. After 18 years in Tuxedo he became the Headmaster of Saint Mary's Episcopal Day School in Tampa and continued teaching Latin. He was greatly admired as a teacher. He and Mary retired to North Sutton, N.H. in 1993. He was predeceased by a daughter, Louise Bushnell Shepard, in 1987. His immediate survivors are his wife of 55 years, Mary; and his three sons and their wives, John A. Shepard, Jr. and Joan of Niskayuna, N.Y.; Robert Grindley Shepard and Eileen of Milton, MA; Frederick Dickinson Shepard and Susan of South Hamilton, MA; four grandchildren, Michael, Hannah Louise, Nathaniel, and Christopher; a brother and his wife, Thomas R. Shepard and Nancy of Sarasota, FL. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Gould Road, New London, N.H. with military honors conducted by the USMC. Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 2209 or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 294, both New London, NH 03257. Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, N.H. is assisting the family with arrangements.
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3 Entries
Mr Shepard, as I knew him, taught me Latin at St. Mary's in Tampa. He had a quiet grace about him and an obvious love of teaching and working with kids. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. He had a positive influence on so many of us.
Erich Gipson
March 19, 2013
Dear Mary and family, Glenn and I are so sad to hear of Jack's death. He was a wonderful friend and headmaster for St. Mary's. I enjoyed my years there as a teacher and the wonderful support he gave me. I also remember the friendship between Jim and Fred and of course we cherish the memories of Louise. We knew you had moved back to the New York area but were not sure just where. We send our sympathies to all of the family and may God give you all comfort and peace. Jack was a wonderful man who loved his family and was so very proud of all of you. God be with you now and always. Love, Dale and Glenn Johnson
Glenn and Dale Johnson
March 18, 2013
Mr.Shepard was my headmaster at St.Mary's Episcopal Day School when I was a litte girl. He was such a wonderful and sweet man. He always was happy to see my friends and I around school. I am very sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
March 17, 2013
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