Obituary of Robert Shepard
Robert Donald (Bob) Shepard
Sadly, we announce the passing of our father, Robert (Bob) Shepard at his home in St. Catharines, Ontario on June 30, 2017, in his 96th year. He was the loving husband of the late Madeline (Mickey) for 62 years. Beloved father of Wayne (Beth) and Peter (Elaine) of St. Catharines and Susan Bury (Bill) of St. Eugene, Ontario. Cherished Grandpa to Chris Bury (Jessica), Patrick (Enikö) , Kelly, Colleen Walsh (Brian), Mike (Amanda Howell), Meaghan Lamothe (Joe), Jason (Jaycee) and Todd. Great-grandfather to Cole, Molly, Penny, Miley, Chase, Edwin, Fiona and Thomas.
Dad was born and grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. At the age of 11, he moved to Montreal with his family. He was a graduate of Darcy McGee High School. He worked at the CNR headquarters in Montreal for 40 years most recently in Freight Claims and Analysis. During WWII, he spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at various islands in the South Pacific. At the CNR, he met his bride, Mickey. They were married in 1952 and raised their family in Montreal for 30 years before moving to St. Catharines. His children have fond memories of a loving father who was deeply involved in his children’s spiritual and social development – family vacations, visits to St. Joseph Oratory, visits to Expo 67, and of their Dad being a Cub leader and coaching baseball and hockey – even though he couldn’t skate.
In St. Catharines, Dad & Mom joined the Newcomers Club. They volunteered for Meals on Wheels. He was an avid bridge player and they were members of several bridge clubs. They also embarked on European and Caribbean cruises, going on 23 of them. Dad enjoyed watching his beloved Notre Dame football and the latest PGA golf tournament.
He will be missed by his friends at his second home – St. Julia parish. He served as a lector and server there at daily mass for nearly 30 years. He was particularly dedicated to the morning Rosary Group.
Long-time friends will remember Bob and Mickey making daily pilgrimages to the shops of the Pen Centre, where they impressed everyone with their devotion to each other and their zeal for life.
Visitation will take place at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Vigil Prayers will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. JULIA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 251 Glenridge Ave., on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at 11 a.m. A Rite of Committal will follow Mass at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, Hwy 20, Fonthill. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Operation Smile or the Canadian Cancer Association.
