What would Orion be without General Motors, Civic Center Park and a clean auditing process?
All of these things were made possible by Bob Sheardy, who passed away March 1 at the age of 89.
Sheardy, who served two terms as township supervisor from 1976-1980 and previously on the school board, will be remembered for his many contributions to Orion throughout his years of public service.
According to daughter Susan, Sheardy lobbied hard for GM to build a plant in Orion.
‘He was very instrumental in getting GM to come here,? she said.
During his terms as supervisor, Sheardy cleaned up the township’s books during a state audit following the alleged embezzlement of $84,000 by a township employee.
He also got land surrounding township hall turned into Civic Center Park, where the Sheardy Pavilion now stands for his efforts.
His children said he was committed to Orion, where he was born in 1919, and where he continued to live until just recently.
‘Rumor has it he did a lot of great things,? said son, Peter. ‘If he did for the township how he raised his kids, he did a great job.?
Sheardy grew up in Lake Orion when it was just a small town. He graduated from Lake Orion schools, where he met his wife, Jane.
Sheardy served in the Army during World War II. When he returned, Sheardy went into the advertising business, working at Pontiac Motors.
He raised his children–Robert Sheardy, Susan Sheardy, Richard Sheardy and Peter Sheardy–in Orion.
When he was 55, Sheardy retired from Pontiac Motors. Members of the community urged him to run for township supervisor.
‘There were some people in town who thought he’d do some good,? Susan said.
Sheardy ran, and won, in 1976. It’s hard to imagine now, but it was news in The Review when the Republican broke the Democratic stronghold on the Orion area.
‘Orion Democrats lost their traditional grip on township voters Tuesdays as Republicans won two important seats on the board,? was reported in The Review on Nov. 4, 1976.
Sheardy was one of the new Republican faces. The other newcomer is still with us. It was current Republican boardmember JoAnn Van Tassel’s first win to an elected seat on the board. She served as a trustee while Sheardy was supervisor.
‘He was a very friendly, outgoing person,? Van Tassel remembered.
The main issue on Orion’s political mind then was, of course, the embezzlement, which was only discovered because of Sheardy’s diligence.
One of his first actions as supervisor was to switch accounting firms. This brought to light missing money from the Sewer and Water Fund, which led to a state audit and a messy year filled with resignations and lawsuits.
Van Tassel said the debacle helped the township implement new accounting measures, much of it due to Sheardy.
‘Many of the procedures he put in place are still there today,? she said.
Another aspect of the community that wouldn’t be the same without Sheardy’s influence are the roads, according to Van Tassel.
Sheardy helped get Waldon Road between Joslyn and Joslyn between Heights and Indianwood paved.
‘It really improved transportation in the community,? Van Tassel said. ‘It took a lot of traffic off of M-24.
While the community mourns the public servant, his children remember a great father and family man.
‘He was an exceptional human being and an exceptional soul,? said son, Richard. ‘He was quite a remarkable guy.?
Susan said it was his commitment to both family and the community that made him so.
‘My dad was always there for everyone,? Susan said.