Walter "Skip" Sheppard III

Walter "Skip" Sheppard, III

Ipswich, MA — Walter "Skip" Sheppard, III, 68, of Ipswich, MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 14, 2021 with his loving family by his side after a long illness.

Skip was born in Proctor, VT on March 24, 1953 to the late Walter L. Sheppard, Jr. and Mildred (Strong) Sheppard. Skip graduated from Hopkinton High School in Hopkinton, NH in 1971.

Skip married his high school sweetheart Sarah "Sally" Parker and they raised two children, Kimberly and Matthew. Skip spent many years working within the paper industry where he forged many lifelong connections and friendships. Skip also had a talent for painting and building and ran his own painting company, S.O.S. Painting in Pembroke, NH. He returned again later to the paper business, specifically Lindenmeyr Munroe where he met the love of his life, Mary (Amatucci) Hetnar.

They were married on a beautiful spring day, April 19, 2008. Skip's greatest passion was being on the ocean, deep sea fishing and owning his own boat which led him to purchase and open "Three Lantern Marine and Fishing" in Gloucester, MA. This is where Skip found his true calling. In 2017, his son Matt joined the team at Three Lantern where he will now take over and continue his father's legacy.

Skip was very talented and loved to tinker on things. He enjoyed a good game of scrabble or golf and he was an amazing cook. One of Skip's greatest achievements in life was his sobriety which he maintained for over 30 years and until his death.

Skip is survived by, in addition to his wife Mary of Ipswich, his two children Kimberly Sheppard Brown of East Montpelier, VT, Matthew Sheppard of Ipswich, his two sisters Kathleen Schoch and Susan Davis, his stepchildren Eric, Dan and Colby Hetnar, his four grandchildren, Macenzie, Averie, Zachary and Emarie Brown as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday September 26, 2021 from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. in the Morris Funeral Home 45 North Main Street, Ipswich. For those attending the visiting hours facial coverings are required if you are not fully vaccinated. The family will have a private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either: the American Cancer Society of MA 30 Speen Street Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Alzheimer's Association of MA 480 Pleasant Street Watertown, MA 02470 .

To send a letter of condolence to Skip's family please go to: MorrisFH.com .