John S. Shepard Iii

Franklin John S. Shepard III John S. Shepard, 82, of Franklin died Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Concord Hospital in Concord following a period of failing health. John was born in Northbridge, MA, July 7, 1934, son of John S. Shepard Jr and Ruth (Crockett) Shepard. John was raised in Franklin and graduated from Franklin High School in 1952. Upon graduating from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME in 1956 with a BA Degree, John then joined the U. S. Navy and served with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. John married Nicole Lair in 1959 in Nice, France. They moved to Boston, MA in 1960 where John completed his Navy enlistment. He was predeceased by Nicole in December of 2010. They had no children. John loved working with people and believed in providing the best service to all. He and Nicole learned the restaurant business; he worked as maitre d' at the French Restaurant, Autra Choise in Cambridge. In the 1960's they opened their own discotheque, Club Henri IV just off Harvard Square. He was the author of several guides to making wine cocktails. From the 1970's to 1998 he opened and ran his independent business "General Delivery Service", covering the entire Boston region. Retiring in 1998, he and Nicole returned to Franklin, NH. This time he worked for Friendly's and Foodies Restaurants in Concord. Tiring of the drive to Concord in all types of weather he became a cashier for Wal-Mart in Tilton until the time of his death. He believed his customers deserved the best service with a friendly smile. Since his youth, John enjoyed spending time with family in Maine and his numerous visits to the Old Man of the Mountain site and White Mountain areas. In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Anne Kurtz. He leaves, his sister, Lt. Col. Rosamond R. Shepard, U. S. Army, (ret) of New Braunfels, TX, nephews, Stephen M. Kurtz of Rochester, NH and David L. Kurtz of Blacklick, OH. Cousins and great niece and nephews. According to John's wishes, there are no public calling hours or services. Burial in the Shepard lot in Franklin Cemetery will be at a later date. Rather than flowers; for those who wish, may make memorial contributions in John's name to the Franklin Animal Shelter, 71 Punch Brook Road, Franklin, NH 03235 or the Franklin Historical Society. Assisting John's sister with arrangements is the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home of Tilton.