Christopher George Shott, age 63, of New Bedford, formerly of Swansea, died unexpectedly on April 11. He was the son the late George J. and Audrey A. (White) Shott. Born in Fall River, he lived most of his life in Swansea until moving to New Bedford five years ago.

He was a 1972 graduate of Joseph Case High School. He attended Stonehill College, received his bachelor’s degree in communications from Charter Oak State College in 2001 and earned his master’s degree in communication from Amberton University in 2005. Chris was a multimedia journalist, currently working for the Wareham Courier. He wrote for several area newspaper organizations over his career and was a copy editor for the Herald News, Warwick Beacon and Cranston Herald. In March of 2016, Chris was honored by the New England Press Association for a column he wrote on science and technology and the impact new technology has on public waste disposal.

He was named Citizen of the Year in Swansea many years ago and received the same recognition from the Town of Wareham in 2016 while working for the Courier. Chris was a founding member of the Swansea Independent Baseball League in 1976 and remained active with the league until 2010. Throughout his 35-year affiliation with the league, Chris served as president for a total of 15 years and he grew SIBL into one of the premier places to play baseball in Southeastern Massachusetts. He made a positive impact on the lives of boys and girls throughout Southeastern Massachusetts with his humility, kindness, humor and always reminded you to tuck your shirt in. Chris had the uncanny ability to remember every player’s name and when you arrived at either Stevens Home, Reynolds Field, Brown School or the Nike Site, you knew where Chris was. He was always surrounded by players wanting to be in his presence because he was fun to be around.

Chris is survived by his two sisters, Katherine M. McDonough and her husband Paul of Yarmouth Port and Barbara M. Shott and her companion Douglas R. Shearer of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; a brother Michael J. Shott and his wife Elisabeth Bacus of Akron, Ohio; two nieces Ellen M. Killoran and Kathleen M. (Killoran) Milewski and her husband Michael; three nephews David P. McDonough and his wife Melissa, John W. Killoran and his fiance Michelle Seekamp and Michael P. McDonough and his wife Erin; four great nephews, John P. Milewski and Patrick, Gavin and Ronan McDonough; four great nieces Audrey G. Milewski, Alice Killoran, Norah McDonough and Maisy Killoran.

His funeral will be held on April 20 at 10 a.m. from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Road, Swansea followed by Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Dominics Church, 1277 GAR Highway, Swansea. Burial will be private. It was Chris’s wish to have memorial contributions in his honor made to a scholarship that he started in honor of his parents at Joseph Case High School since their passing in 2011. Chris attended Senior Night at the high school every year to present this award. Contributions may be made to the George J., Audrey A. and Christopher G. Shott Scholarship, c/o of the Case High Scholarship Trust, PO Box 33, Swansea, MA 02777.

Editor’s note: Our thoughts are with Chris Shott’s family and our colleagues at the Wareham Courier. Chris was a great person and stellar reporter who kept us on our toes as we worked to cover all the things going on in this busy town. We will miss sharing coffee and laughs with him. Godspeed, Chris. And thank you.