Enjoyed travel, practical jokes and the harmonica
Published in the September 12, 2018 edition
STONEHAM — Bertram W. Sheppard, 85, of Stoneham, formerly of Wakefield died Monday, September 10, 2018 at the Winchester Hospital.
Born in Chelsea on May 20, 1933 he was the son of the late Stephen and Mertice (Nelson) Sheppard.
Mr. Sheppard was a Wakefield native and a graduate of Wakefield High School. He was a former member of the Wakefield Lodge of Elks and the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He had been retired from the Wakefield Light Department. Mr. Sheppard was a survivor of polio, having spent most of his childhood in Children’s Hospital and enduring more than 18 surgeries, he willed himself to remain strong. This same desire for strength was something he would instill in his children, always determined to do things on his own, proving over and over that you can conquer any obstacle. A life well lived, Mr. Sheppard enjoyed traveling to many locations, especially trips to Pennsylvania, Wells Beach, Maine, and Germany. He also had a passion for the harmonica and practical jokes but, above all, was a family man.
He was the devoted and beloved husband of Lorraine R. (McWhinnie) Sheppard, with whom he had shared more than 66 years of marriage. He was the loving father of Susan Bellavia and her husband Joe of The Villages, Fla., Karen Sweetland and her husband Brian of North Reading, Janice Keefe and her late husband Robert of Wakefield, and the late Michael “Mickey” Sheppard. He was the grandfather to Scott Sheppard, his eldest grandson, as well as many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was the father-in-law of Judy Sheppard of Maine. He was the brother of Charles Sheppard of Florida. He was predeceased by 16 siblings.
His funeral service will be held in the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday at 11 a.m. Interment, Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 3-7 p.m.
