James Richard Shedno

James Richard “Jimmy” Shedno — veteran, father, professor, philosopher, and certified humorist — left this world on October 09, 2025, at the age of 81. He died the way he lived: full of feeling, full of words, and still trying to find the perfect song for the moment. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in Woods Run, Jimmy was told early on that he’d never amount to much. Perhaps to some, he didn’t. But to the countless lives he touched, he was a confidant, a guide, a poet, a lover, and yes, occasionally a stubborn know-it-all. But he cared, and that was his superpower. He graduated from Oliver High School, earned his BA from Suffolk University, and his MS from California State University, Los Angeles. From 1968 to 1970, he served honorably in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 101st Infantry Division, spending a year in Vietnam (1969–1970). He came home carrying both the weight of war and a deep appreciation for life’s quieter, sacred moments. He would spend the last 15 years of his life living in the solitude of the Maine woods that he loved so dearly, surrounded by water, and a vast assortment of wild animals that felt so at home, they would eat right from his hand. Jimmy spent over three decades working in healthcare administration, pushing for systems that worked for people, not just policies. He also taught as an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and St. Joseph’s College of Maine, where students learned quickly that showing up was only half the job; the rest was thinking critically and not bullsh*tting a man who’d seen it all. He spent many years attempting to prove that doctoral candidates can write a proper sentence. Even if, in his opinion, he never actually saw it happen. Before fatherhood became his proudest role, Jimmy found peace and purpose on the water. He loved sailing his small boat off the California coast. Just him (and sometimes his partner and cherished friends), the sea, and the wind that didn’t argue back. He loved the water deeply. Perhaps because it never stayed still, and neither did he. He was a man of many words: some poetic, some philosophical, and plenty that were sarcastic, hilarious, or completely inappropriate. But they were always real. Jimmy loved books, film, and music above all else; except maybe love itself. Because if there was one thing Jimmy Shedno truly believed in, it was love: in all its messy, complicated, heart-splitting forms. He gave it freely, deeply, and often to people who needed it most. He cried often; not from weakness, but because beauty moved him. Whether it was a piece of music, a line of poetry, or a quiet moment with his children, Jimmy wore his heart not just on his sleeve but across his whole being. And he was never ashamed to admit it. In his later years, Jimmy found new pieces of himself through his biological family. People he hadn’t grown up with, but whose presence added layers to his story. He cherished the journey of reconnecting and rediscovering, piecing together the beautiful, complicated mosaic of who he was and where he came from. To those brothers and sisters; he loved you more than you will ever really know. Jimmy is survived by his son, John Robert Shedno of Wrentham, MA, his daughter, Madeline Justine Shedno of Meaford, Ontario, Canada and his partner, Shirley E. Jackson of Scarborough, ME. Also surviving are his son-in-law, Uros Jovovic, and his beloved grandson, Luka Aleksander Jovovic, who brought him more joy than he ever thought possible. Predeceased by his beloved dogs, Missy, Rocket and Spooker. He is also survived by a chosen family of friends who were every bit as close as blood — those who shared his meals, his thoughts, his laughter, and his deepest truths. They know who they are. And they know how deeply he loved them. A celebration and burial will be held to honor his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please read a good book, listen to something beautiful, cry if it moves you, and tell someone you love them. But say it loudly and without apology. Bonus points if you also correct someone’s grammar. Jimmy Shedno may not have fit the mold, but he built his own; forged with grit, love, and a fiercely tender heart. He lived hard, thought deeply, laughed loudly, and left a mark as unforgettable as his favorite quotes. May the wind always be at his back, the music playing just right, and may heaven have a good library with better coffee (decaf).

James Richard Shedno

September 29, 1944 - October 9, 2025

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