George A. "Peter John" Sheppard III

George A. "Peter John" Sheppard III, 73, of 78 Harrison Ave., died Tuesday, Oct. 14, in HealthAlliance Leominster Hospital, after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on February 1, 1935, son of the late George A., and Lily (Hancock) Sheppard Jr. His father was a Fitchburg Police Officer for 26 years.

He was a 1952 graduate of Fitchburg High School and a 1954 graduate of Bentley College in Boston, earning a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Finance.

He was married for 53 years to his childhood sweetheart, Nancy (Ethier) Sheppard and was the proud father of 10 children. Besides his wife, he leaves four daughters, Debbie Sheppard of Leominster, Susan Ross of Marshfield, Ma., Pamela Withington, and her husband, Donald, of Fitchburg, Margaret "Pegi" Malo, and her husband, Fran, of Leominster; five sons, Peter Sheppard of Lunenburg, Thomas Sheppard and his companion, Janet Carey of Fitchburg, Patrick Sheppard, and his wife Denise, of Winnetka, IL, John Sheppard and his wife, Anne, of Abington, MA and Christopher Sheppard of Fitchburg. He was predeceased by a daughter, Kathy (Sheppard) Boutwell, who passed away in 2006. He also leaves a sister in law, Joanne McGuirk and her husband Michael; a brother in law, Bill Ethier, and his wife, Barbara; nieces, nephews, cousins; his stepmother, Regina Sheppard; and aunts and uncles.

He had 15 grandchildren, Tricia, Pearce, Anthony and Matthew Ross, Katelyn and Bryan Withington, Abigail and Emily Sheppard, Russell, Jacqueline and Jon Solovy, and Vincenzo, Gabriella and Dominic Malo and Michael Andrew Sheppard.

George worked at the former Independent Lock Company in Fitchburg as a Cost Accountant for two years, and then at the former Crocker Burbank, Weyerhauser and James River Paper Companies from 1959 to 1990, then at Munksjo Paper Company from 1991 to 2000, all in a Lab Supervisory role. He was Vice President of the former Crocker Burbank Credit Union, as well as Auditor for Local #372 and Treasurer of Local #1039.

He created his own Tax Accounting business in 1968 and it continues to this day as a family business.

His greatest passion was Baseball, especially being a fan of the Boston Red Sox and coaching Little League and Babe Ruth. He coached the Fitchburg Northern Little League Pirates for 15 years and won the City Championship in 1977. He was also Treasurer of the Fitchburg Northern Little League. He coached the Babe Ruth Simonds team for 15 years and was also Treasurer of that league. He coached 5 sons in both leagues.

He was a member of St. Bernard's Parish for 47 years, including serving as Treasurer of the Parish Council.

He was a devoted husband, loving father of 10, adoring grandfather of 15 and best friend to his dog 'Scooter'. "We love you to the moon and back."

His Funeral was held on Saturday, October 18, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bernard's Church, 240 Water St., Fitchburg. Burial followed in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours were at the Funeral Home 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 17.

In memory of George, memorial contributions may be made to the Fitchburg Northern Little League, C/O Andy Roy, Fitchburg Recreation Dept., 718 Main St., Fitchburg, Ma. 01420 or Boston Catholic Television, P.O. Box 9196, Watertown, Ma. 02471 or to the St. Bernard's Parish Renovation Fund, 240 Water St., Fitchburg, Ma. 01420 or may be left at the Funeral Home.

Family and Friends are invited to a reception at Westminster Country Club, Ellis Rd., Westminster, Ma. following the Funeral and Burial. See www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net for further information.