SHEPHERDSON, Morley
Morley Darwood Shepherdson (1932-2011) With great sorrow, the family announces the sudden passing of Morley Shepherdson on Saturday, January 15th, 2011 at the age of 78. Morley is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Frances, and his four children Darwood (Shari), Llewellyn (Carol), Edwin (Donna) and Keri (Cindy), as well as 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers Clair, Verdun and Floyd and his sisters Audrey (Ridley), Betty (Fielder) and Donna (Caldwell). Morley had a long and full life dedicated to his family, his church, the community, agriculture and music. He loved nothing more than to visit and laugh and reminisce with family over a friendly game of cards. Morley loved life and the people he met. He had a steadfast faith and provided ministry at the Community of Christ for almost 60 years. His kind and compassionate nature made him a friend to all. He officiated at many weddings, sometimes even at the weddings of children whose parents he had also married. Morley was very involved in the community and was inducted into the TDSS Hall of Fame in 1990 and was awarded the Senior Volunteer of the Year from the City of Temiskaming Shores. Except for a 2-year adventure to college in Lamoni, Iowa, he was a life-long resident of Temiskaming. He loved the countryside and marveled at the beauty of the valley each time he came over the hill through the rock cut on the highway. Morley spent his teen and early adult life working with his father and uncles in the logging camps and the sawmill. He always enjoyed working with wood and spent many enjoyable hours in his retirement in his workshop making furniture, shelves, plant stands, lamps and special projects for his grandchildren. Morley also dedicated his life to agriculture. He and Frances moved to a homestead with their young family in 1958 and stayed on the farm until they retired in 1992. Over the years, Sunny Ridge Farms became known across the country for the quality of beef cattle, even being featured in the national Cattlemen's magazine. Morley became involved in the Temiskaming Cattlemen's Association and stayed involved locally for 33 years. His interest continued and he became president of the Ontario Cattleman's Association. His specialty was chairing the meetings and he was well versed in Roberts Rules of Order - a skill that served him well in the many volunteer organizations with which he served during his retirement. In 1988 he moved on to become president of the Canadian Cattleman's Association. He and Frances traveled nationally and internationally to represent the interests of Canadian beef producers. In 1989, he received the Centennial Award from the Province of Ontario for his outstanding contribution to agriculture. Even after his retirement from the beef farm, he continued to be involved locally with the Temiskaming Crops Coalition and was instrumental in managing many government grants to support the work of crop farmers in the area. In his retirement, his other great passion was music. Morley enjoyed singing bass in the Temiskaming Community Choir and quickly became president and treasurer - positions he continued to hold until the end. Along with his brother Clair, he dusted off the violin that had sat idle for 35 years and they began to rediscover the joys of string music. As their enjoyment grew, others were invited to join them and the Temiskaming String Ensemble was born. Morley learned to play the viola and enjoyed many hours being part of string quartets and the larger group. At Christmas, he was able to enjoy the sounds of both as the Choir was joined by the string ensemble for their annual concert. Morley always believed that music was important for children and although money was sometimes scarce, he and Frances ensured that their children all had the opportunity to take music lessons and participate in the Kiwanis Music Festival. Morley became involved in the Temiskaming Music Festival committee, taking on the role of Co-Chair and Chair. He loved to sit in on the classes and hear the young musicians perform. It seems natural that he became involved in the South Temiskaming Scholarship for Music fund, a committee set up to provide funds to help parents pay for lessons. Morley was so proud to be part of this organization as it ensured the great history of music in Temiskaming would continue into the future. Morley was a man of integrity, honesty, kindness and caring. He loved and was loved. He will be sadly missed by his family, his friends and his community. The family will receive friends and family at the Perrin Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 from 2 until 4 and 7 until 9 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. from the Community of Christ Church. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to be made to the South Temiskaming Scholarship for Music [c/o Cindy Fraser, PO Box 2605, New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0] in Morley's memory.
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