John William Shern

John William Shern was born during a blizzard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 31, 1947. Because the roads were filled with snow, his Mom and Dad were forced to hitch a ride in the back of a milk truck to get to the hospital. John was the second of seven children of Mary and Jack Shern. He was Jesuit educated at Marquette High School where he played football, basketball and ran track.

John turned down an appointment at the Naval Academy to pursue an architecture degree at the University of Notre Dame. It was there that he met the love of his life, Saint Mary’s student, Muggsie Robertshaw. The two married after graduation in 1969. John honorably served in the Navy in the Civil Engineer Corps during the Vietnam War. After his active service he continued to honorably serve in the Naval Reserves for 8 years.

Professionally, John Shern settled in Atlanta in 1973 where he started his career as an architect with Heery & Heery and eventually moved to Cousins Properties in Cobb County. John enjoyed building and creating with Trion Properties and with The Home Depot where he served as Director of Real Estate Development and Vice President of Construction. One of John’s greatest professional joys was working with the Cumberland Community Improvement District where he served on the Board for 36 years eventually as Chairman. He was honored to receive the John Williams CID Award in 2022 and to be selected as Cumberland Citizen of the Year in 2024. Most people knew John to be smart, prepared, generous and quick-witted. His personal integrity and reputation for being honest and fair were hallmarks of his work.

Personally, John Shern loved his family. Married to Muggsie for almost 56 years, they created a home that welcomed 4 children and their spouses, and 11 grandchildren. All of their children were educated at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School and Marist School. He was often seen on the sidelines of soccer games, baseball games, basketball games, volleyball matches, cross country meets, track meets, swim meets and in the audience of choral and band concerts, plays and robotics competitions. His favorite times were summer beach trips to Hilton Head with the entire family. He was a wicked backgammon player and a mediocre Chutes and Ladders player. He loved being on the family group chat where he could see exciting moments in his grandchildren's lives - often saying, “I’m so very proud of you, but not really surprised.” John was extraordinarily proud of graduating from the University of Notre Dame and anxiously awaited football season each year. He assumed each year they would make it to the National Championship. From high school to college to ski trips and poker nights, John’s friendships were vast and deep.

John is lovingly survived by his wife Muggsie (Margaret), his children Erin Paul (John), Jack Shern (Lauren), Quinn Nelson, Christopher Shern (Judy), his grandchildren Maddie, Max, Riley, Mallory, Maggie, Julia, Elliott, Luke, Georgia, Mae and Kenny, his siblings Sally Schaefer (Greg), Barbara Burch (Tim), Susie Wilder (Bob), Michael Shern, and an amazing extended family of over 100 brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews and their families from all over the country. John is preceded in death by his mother and father Mary Steeves Shern and John Edward Shern, his siblings Guy Shern and Katie Shern, his mother and father-in-law Helen and Fred Robertshaw and his brother-in-law Frank Robertshaw.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated for John on Wednesday, July 16 at 10am at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church located at 7171 Glenridge Dr. Atlanta GA 30328. A reception will follow at the church in the Stapleton Lounge.

One of the motto’s his children often heard was, ‘to one who is given much, much is expected.’ John loved his Catholic faith and was generous with his time, talent and treasure working with the Knights of Columbus at his parish. John and Muggsie are also generous supporters of Catholic Education and are proud to support the childhood cancer research their son Jack is involved with called Special Love - Camp Fantastic. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of John Shern to Marist School and Special Love - Camp Fantastic. Checks may be made out to “Marist School” and mailed to 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE Atlanta, GA 30319. Gifts may be made online at marist.com/onlinegiving . Please write “in memory of John Shern” in the memo line or comments section of your gift. For Special Love - Camp Fantastic please visit SpecialLove.org and use the Donate tab.

John’s family was also especially touched by the care and compassion of the members of Capstone Hospice team and Angel Companions Care who cared for John over the past 3 months. Thank you also to the many friends, family, neighbors and healthcare professionals who treated John with dignity, love and kindness since his diagnosis.