Thomas James Sheppard
Born: May 13th, 1921
Passed on: October 7th, 2008
87, Edwardsville It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved dad and grampie, Tom Sheppard on Oct. 7, 2008, at the Harbourview veterans facility, Sydney Mines N.S. Tom formerly resided in Edwardsville, N.S., and Stratford P.E.I. He was born in Trenton N.S., May 13, 1921, the son of the late Fred and Harriet (O’Leary) Sheppard. Tom was raised in Cardigan, P.E.I. and was a respected boxer in Charlottetown known affectionately as ‘Tom the Bomber Sheppard.’ He joined the RCN at the age of 19. Tom’s Second World War experience ended when his ship the Rajputana was torpedoed off Iceland. Tom was posted to the Pt. Edward Naval Base in charge of security. After the war he was employed by DND as a firefighter at the naval base until he retired as chief in 1985. Tom owned and operated Sheppard’s Dairy with his wife, Florence while raising nine children. He loved fishing, beekeeping, gardening, hunting and Celtic music. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and the Royal Canadian Legion, Westside Br. 126. Tom is survived by six daughters and three sons, Sharon (Brian) Brummond, Christmas Island, Karen (Dougie) Lewis, Bedford, Brennan (Linda), Howie Center, Brian (Cora), Edwardsville, Rebecca (Keith) Hawkins, Howie Center, Gerald (Kathy), Howie Center, Anita (Bernie) MacMillan, Christmas Island, Leona (Gary) Marshall, Lower Sackville, Patricia Sheppard, Halifax; sister, Joyce (John) Fitzpatrick, P.E.I. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Grampie had a special place in his heart for grandson, Zachary. Tom was predeceased by his first wife, the former Florence Campbell in 1988 and by second wife, the former Margaret King in 2005 and brothers; Sterling, Francis, Gerald, Heath; as well as sisters, Phyllis MacQueen and Marjorie . Visitation will be held at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with funeral mass to be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Church with Fr. Will MacPherson officiating. Interment to follow in Resurrection Cemetery. Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Thanks are extended from the family to the kind staff and residents of Harbourview Facility of Sydney Mines and to Fr. J.J. MacDonald and Dr. Wawer. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at twcurryparkviewchapel@ns.sympatico.ca or www. mem.com.
