Obituary of Donald Shephard

Donald Eugene Shephard, 84, of Cazenovia, NY passed away peacefully at Iroquois Nursing Home after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born in a Chenango Street maternity ward during a snow storm on December 20, 1929, Don was one of four lively sons (Robert, Don, David and Bernard) of Homer and Helen Roberts Shephard of Shephards Road. Don attended Cornell University after graduating from Cazenovia Central School, where he was a clarinetist in the high school band and a member of the football team. At Cornell, Don was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho, a social and professional agricultural fraternity. Receiving a bachelor's of science degree in 1952, Don married his long time high school sweetheart Mary Bowers and took a position with Farm Credit Services. After six years in Middletown, NY working primarily with onion and dairy producers, Don and Mary returned to the family farm where they raised four children of their own and sponsored two additional sons from Vietnam. Don retired from Shephard Farms in 2002, where he was a partner with his son, nephew and brother for over 40 years. Married 52 years, Don and Mary were long time members of the Cazenovia Village Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Syracuse where they served in numerous leadership, music and Sunday School teaching positions. Don was a founding member of the Cazenovia Area Habitat for Humanity and served on boards ranging from Farm Credit, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, Dairylea Cooperative and the Fenner Assessment Review Board. In addition to his community and industry contributions, Don was an avid gardener and woodworker, enjoyed traveling, camping and sailing his Sun Fish on Cazenovia and Adirondack-area lakes, and delighted in watching his children and grandchildren at Cazenovia and Cornell sporting events. The extended family appreciates the friendship and quality care extended to Don at 24 Nelson Street, Cazenovia, Emeritus at East Side Manor, Clare Bridge of Manlius and Iroquois Nursing Home. Don is survived by his four sons including Andy (Lori), Tom (Ann), Peter (Leo), and Alex (Nancy); his daughter Meg (Jim); his brother David (Margaret); 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild residing in New York, Illinois and South Carolina. A Service of Celebration will be held at 11am on October 11th at the First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike in Jamesville, NY. Memorial contributions can be made to: Madison County Habitat for Humanity, www.madisoncountyhabitat.org; or First Baptist Church of Syracuse, Music Ministry, 5833 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078.