Jerry R. Shepardson of Chatham and Piseco NY., passed away on March 25, 2016. He was the son of the late Raymond F. and Edna H. Shepardson of Little Falls, NY. Surviving are his wife of 57 years Deborah Paul Shepardson, his children H.Paul Shepardson and Colleen Donnelly Shepardson, Anita Shepardson Huey and her husband Brian, J. Andrew Shepardson and William Bulman, his grandchildren Ryan, Delaney and Cameron Shepardson and Kaylin and Molly Huey, his sister Ann Marie McCarthy and her husband John and nieces and nephews, Joan McCarthy Mazzio and her husband Victor, Jack McCarthy and his wife Sue, James McCarthy and his wife Maria, and Julie McCarthy Milbach and her husband Alan, and his grand nieces and nephews and many cousins. He was pre-deceased by his sisters Anita I. and Joan E. Shepardson. Graduate of St. Mary's Academy, Little Falls NY, class of 1950, where he was a standout basketball player. He served his country as a Staff Sergeant of the US Airforce1951-1955, receiving the National Defense Services and Good Conduct Medals. He returned home and received a B.S. degree from SUNY Cortland in 1958 and MS from SUNY Albany in 1965. He worked for Morris Hills Regional High School in New Jersey from 1958-1960 and taught elementary physical education at Canajoharie Central School from 1960 to 1966 where he was also the varsity boys basketball coach. He led the team to the 1961 New York State Class C sectional title over Draper High 98-78. Jerry moved to Chatham in 1966 and worked as a guidance counselor in the Chatham Central School district until his retirement in 1991. He was also the boys tennis coach and the athletic director and class advisor during his time at Chatham. Jerry was a Village Trustee of Chatham NY from 1977-1993 and Mayor of Chatham from 1993-1995. He was a member of the St. James parish since arriving in Chatham and served on many committees including the parish council. He is a member of the Elks Club Lodge 42 in Little Falls, NY, American Legion Post 42 in Chatham and had been a member of the Chatham Lions Club. During his nearly 25 year retirement he and Debbie traveled extensively first and foremost to see their children and grandchildren but also on trips to Ireland and Hawaii with family and friends. Each year they drove to Florida and always took the "long route" to see the sights but more importantly to visit friends and family. They spent their summers at the family "camp" on Piseco Lake where Jerry, along with his neighbors, built a two story addition to accommodate not only the family at the time but future generations of the extended family that still gather each summer. Much of the camp showcases the hours Jerry spent working to make it the special place it is. Family will receive friends Tuesday, March 29th. at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham, from 4-7 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10am in Saint James Church. In lieu of flowers contributions in Jerry's name may be made to Piseco Ambulance Corp. Piseco, NY 12139 or St Peter's Hospital Foundation 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY. Condolences may be conveyed to frenchblasl.com