It is with great sadness, the family of Ronald Melvin Sheppard announce his passing at Red Deer Regional Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer on January 6, 2011 at age 73. Ron was predeceased by his loving wife, Barbara (2006), mother, Effie (1999) and father, Ralph (1954). He leaves to mourn his children: Shawn, Nathan, Dean, and Dawn; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; his siblings and their families (Barbara, Marguerite, Wally, Doug, Pauline, Ray) and numerous cousins and friends. Ron was born August 20, 1937 in Curling, Newfoundland. He grew up in both Curling and Cox's Cove. In 1954, at 17 he left Newfoundland to join the RCAF. His first posting was to Senneterre, Quebec, as a Fighter Control Operator. In 1966, he re-mustered to Recreational Specialist. During his career, he was posted to other bases at Foymount and Clinton, ON, Gander, NL, Greenwood, NS and Penhold, AB, where he retired in 1980. However, no matter where Ron was, Newfoundland was always home. He was an avid sportsman throughout his life. He played and taught many sports and won numerous awards. His greatest memory was playing with the Corner Brook Soccer All-Stars in 1953 when they won the Newfoundland Championship when he was only 16. He coached both the Gander Flyers and the Greenwood Bombers in hockey. After retirement, he continued to be active as a player and manager of golf and curling and operated his own custom golf club business. Ron's family will be remembering him for his great work ethic, willingness to help others, his wonderful sense of humour, quick wit, contagious laughter, love of music, the wonderful stories he told of his experiences in life and they are grateful for his love of family. He did what he loved and loved what he did. A celebration of Ron's life was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 104 Innisfail, AB on Thursday, January 13, 2011.