St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church in Lady Lake shared an announcement and memorial of the Rev. Gerry Shovelton, who passed away recently.

"Fr. Gerry was born on Oct. 5, 1930, in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Mary Margaret (Meagher) and Albert Shovelton. He had two brothers, Albert F. and the Rev. William J. Shovelton," the memorial said in the church's Oct. 11 bulletin.

Shovelton attended St. Joseph's Elementary as a child and later went to St. John's Seminary. 

Raised in a religious home, Shovelton discerned early on that he was destined for the priesthood, which he credits to his devout family who raised him to love God and the Catholic faith. 

“While the decision to enter the priesthood was ultimately God’s, his Catholic education played an important part in his vocation," the memorial stated. "Fr. Gerry tried very hard to recognize and follow God’s path for him."

Fr. Shovelton's ordination was on Feb. 2, 1956, and he served in a number of parishes throughout his priesthood, including three in Massachusetts: St. Patrick’s in Fall River, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Oaks Bluff and St. Mary’s in Taunton.

“While serving in the Taunton, Massachusetts, area, Fr. Gerry began an Apostolate (St. Mary’s), a Pro-Life Ministry (Holy Trinity), established Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (Holy Trinity) and was a founder of Birthright of Greater Taunton (St. Ann),” the memorial said.

After years of dedication to the role of priest, Shovelton retired to The Villages in June 2000. He continued to serve the Lord by aiding at St. Timothy and helping to celebrate the Mass there. All who knew and were ministered to by Fr. Shovelton will greatly miss him. 

“We pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family, friends and all those to whom he ministered over his long career. May he rest in the peace of Christ, the Risen Lord,” the memorial concluded.