DADE CITY, Fla. – John E. Shephard, 79, formerly of Easton, Mass., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, in Dade City, Fla., under the care of HPH Hospice. He was born Oct. 11, 1932, in Bangor, to Chester W. and Mary F. Harrington Shephard.
He joined the Army at 17 and was assigned to the Berlin occupation forces and met his future wife while serving in Berlin. He served in the Army from 1949 to 1970, retiring as a sergeant first class. He was named Soldier of the Year in 1963 at Boston Army Base, where he served as a desk sergeant for the armed forces police detachment. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans Post No. 11, Westover, Mass., where he served as the commander from 1980 to 1981. He was a member of National Association of Retired Federal Employees and National Association of Uniform Services. He was an animal lover who enjoyed spending time with his horse, Bold Eagle; donkey, Sadie; and spaniel, Ebony, and also cared for a number of stray pets.
John is survived by his wife, Gisela Shephard; three children, Rita O’Connor, Ramona Gallagher and John E. Shephard Jr.; seven grandchildren, Linda, Gina, Robbie, Kimberly, Meagan, Alexandra and Whitney; five great-grandchildren; and siblings, Alfred Shephard and Barbara Moore. He was predeceased by siblings Rose Noyes, Theresa Lane, Chester Shephard and Michael Shephard.
Visiting hours are 4-8 p.m. Friday at Kane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 605 Washington St., Route 138, Easton, Mass., where relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral 9 a.m. Saturday with a 10 a.m. funeral Mass after at Immaculate Conception Church, Easton, Mass. Interment with military honors will be afterward at Knollwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Canton, Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in John’s memory to HPH Hospice, 37445 Clinton Ave, Dade City, FL 33525 or Little Cat Rescue, attention: Rae Ann Sacks, 4229 Abaco Court, New Port Richey, FL 34653. For directions or condolences, visit
www.kanefuneralhome.com.