Thomas H. "Shep" Shepard

Thomas H. "Shep" Shepard, Sr., 83, died peacefully Tuesday, March 9, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
Born on January 18, 1938 in Pittsfield, Tom was the son of the late Harold and Ella (Crowley) Shepard. After his parents went to Heaven when he was just a child, his aunt Patricia and her husband Bill O'Leary, continued to raise him with all their love and support. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1956 and attended Siena College. Mr. Shepard was a dedicated employee of General Electric Company for over 35 years in the Power Transformer Department.
Our Dad, our Poppy was a beautiful gentle man whose love of life was simplistic and yet, deeply profound. He was never driven by wealth, power, material things or greed. He was just astonishingly happy to greet each day, spend time with his family, enjoy a good meal, listen to music and to laugh! Despite many painful losses and setbacks throughout his life, his kindness and consistently positive attitude will inspire us for many lifetimes.
A beloved father and grandfather, Poppy and his granddaughter Alyssa shared a special bond of love and admiration that has been passed down to his great grandson Landon. An animal lover, Shep enjoyed the company of his dog Bandit, who was his true loyal companion and confidant.
He is survived by his sons, Thomas H. Shepard Jr. (Becky) and Christopher T. Shepard (Tracy), all of Pittsfield; his daughters, Teresa M. Shepard (Lisa LaFlamme) of Holyoke, and Sarah E. Miller (Timothy) of Pittsfield. He also leaves eight treasured grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Julie, Timothy, Alyssa (Larry), Michael, Norah and Matthew; five great-grandchildren, Landon, Clark, Robert, Lucy and Jack; and his sister-in-law Ellen Newton.
Mr. Shepard was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Ellen Marie (Newton) Shepard, on September 15, 2014. He was also predeceased by his son, Timothy M. Shepard; his parents, his siblings, Robert and Barbara Shepard, his brother-in-law, Ted Newton.
SERVICES: Friends are invited to join with the family at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME on Tuesday, March 16th beginning at 11:30AM. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Church, with the Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor, officiating and the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, Pastor Emeritus of St. Charles Church, concelebrating. Interment will follow in the St. Michael Archangel Mausoleum at St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital", in care of the funeral home, 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201