Dr. Thomas J. Shepro
March 09, 1937 - June 27, 2014
Obituary
Shepro, Dr. Thomas J.
MADISON-Dr. Thomas Joseph Shepro, age 77, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, June 27, 2014. He was born on March 9, 1937, in Marinette, the son of Joseph and Joyce (Maloney) Shepro. Thomas graduated from Marinette High School in 1956. He then enlisted in the US Air Force, serving until 1960, three of those years at Ramstain AF Base in Germany. Thomas was united in marriage to Mary LaBrosse on Dec. 30, 1961, in Krakow. He continued his education at Marinette County Teachers College, receiving a two year degree with certificate to teach elementary school in 1962. Thomas taught in the Oconto Falls School District, teaching grades 5-8 at Stiles School and math and science at Oconto Falls Middle School from 1962-64. In 1965 he began teaching at Cambria/Friesland School District, both in the elementary school, 4th grade, and also in the middle school, math and science. Thomas then went on to receive a BS degree in elementary education at UW- Oshkosh in 1968, and from 1967-70 he continued at Cambria/Friesland as Interim Superintendent, administrative assistant and high school principal. From 1970-72, he was principal at Rio High School, then returned to UW- Madison, where he received a MS degree in educational administration in 1972. Thomas then served as School Superintendent at Lena School District until 1975, at the Beloit Turner School District until 1978, and at Jefferson School district until 1989. During his time at Jefferson, Thomas attended UW-Madison, receiving a PhD in educational administration in 1983. From 1989-94 he was employed as Agency Administrator at Cooperative Education Service Agency #2. Taking on a new career in Real Estate Sales, Thomas then worked for Century 21 in Madison, and in 1995 returned part-time as Interim District Administrator at Highland School District for a year and lastly at Argyle School District as part-time District Administrator. Thomas enjoyed reading, golfing and boating. He was a director in the Madison Bridge Club, achieving bridge life-master in 2007 and bronze life-master in 2010. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary; children, Christine (Kurt) Shepro-Stein and James Shepro; two grandchildren, Irie Stein and Matti Stein; mother, Joyce Shepro; and siblings, Daniel (Jane), Joseph (Kathy), Steven, and Catherine (Mark) Kappell. He is further survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph; and brother, Robert. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2014. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Military Honors will be conducted. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Carbone Cancer Center, Wounded Warrior Project or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, Dean Clinic and Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Jul 3, 2014 @ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Service
Thu Jul 3, 2014 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Monona • 5101 Schofield St., Monona, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Dr. Thomas have been shared yet.
Memories
CH
Candy Heggie
Other •
Dear Mary and family,
I was so honored to have worked with Tom at Jefferson School District as his first administrative assistant. Just a short story (you probably remember this quite well).... On his first day in the office, I was still on vacation. I had heard from friends that he had quite a mishap at the golf club in Jefferson during one of his first golf outings in Jefferson - Meadow Springs I believe. Boy were they right! I walked into his office on my first day back from vacation which was probably only about his 2nd week as Superintendent and saw the "damage" that had been done while he was enjoying his favorite sport! A swollen mouth and stitches. If I remember correctly, he was hit in the mouth with a golf ball! What a welcome to Jefferson.....and he stayed!
Tom was always a man of great character; a very kind, intelligent and well respected man. I cannot put into words the enjoyment I had working with him and knowing him. His shoes were hard to fill when he left Jefferson , but our district was so much better because of him. Please accept my deepest sympathies and I hope that the wonderful memories you all have of him will get you through these tough times. I know he is in a better place, but his absence in our world will take time to get used to...take care.
Candy Heggie
Jefferson
JL
Jean M. Lemery-Harbick
Other •
I grew up in Menekaunee and knew Tom from there, also worked with his Dad at Aerial in the early 60"s. Bruce Lemery was my husband, and we met Tom at many of the District Administrators' conventions and were always so glad to see him. This group of Admininstrators were very inter-active and enjoyed sharing their experiences. They were proud of their accomplishments. Fond memories of times gone by, Deepest Sympathy to his family. Jean (Linser) Lemery-Harbick, Marinette.
LW
Lin Winnekins
Other •
I grew up with Tom in Menekaunee and spent a lot of time at the Shepro house on Lake Street. We graduated high school in 1956 and were in the U.S. Air Force during the same period. I haven't seen Tom for some years and in an email awhile back Tom suggested we get together at a Menekaunee Picnic or a class reunion, but we didn't get it done. My condolences go out to the Shepro family and especially to Mrs. Joyce Shepro as she was like another mother to all of the neighborhood kids.
Lin and Joyce Winnekins, Freeport, IL
MB
martha brusegar
Other •
My sincere sympathies, Mary, for your loss. What a a life Tom lived! Just think of all the children's lives that Tom has touched over the years....what a legacy! As a retired teacher, I have a special appreciation for that.
I didn't know Tom well, but I was always impressed with what a classy gentleman he was. May your many memories be a joy and comfort to you now.
Martha Brusegar
MS
Melissa Stafford
Other •
May our Lord bless and comfort you and your family during this time of grief. Please accept our sincerest sympathies. I really loved following in some of Uncle Tom’s footsteps when we moved to Lena and he was able to share some of his memories and experiences from this tiny town that we both loved (even though neither of us stayed long!). I thought of him and Aunt Mary regularly as I would go past their old house which was only a few doors down. It felt really good to have that family connection when we had no other connections to the area.
I wish, with all my heart, that I could be there with you today to share old memories and to make new ones, to comfort and to hug. Please know that I will be thinking of you and sending you all of my love today and though we aren’t there in person, we are always connected at heart.
-Mark, Melissa, Alexander, Corinthia, and Lorelei
LJ
Lori Jarvey
Other •
Chris & the Shepro family, I am sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a wonderful person and my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. -Lori Jarvey (Spangler)