Ivan Sheppard

It is with profound sadness to announce the passing of Ivan Sheppard, loving husband to Marilyn, father, and grandfather, after a lengthy but courageous battle with Leukemia.

He was predeceased by his parents Alton and Myrtle, maternal grandparents Fred and Leta, who raised him from infancy, and brothers Lowell, Reginald, and Roland.

Ivan is survived by wife of 60 years, Marilyn, children Michael (Wendy), and Darrell (Marita). He is also survived by grandchildren Nathan, Benjamin, Leah and Trevor, sisters Marion, Loretta, and Ruby as well as his furry grandchildren Jack and Muggsy.

Although Ivan lived his entire adult life in Nova Scotia, he was born and raised in Lark Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador and was a proud Newfoundlander his entire life. Ivan moved to Nova Scotia at eighteen to pursue a sea-going career, although this did not come to pass, it was here he met Marilyn and settled down to start a new life in a new province.

In his earlier years, Ivan travelled as much as he could to Lark Harbour, spending many family summer holidays there, he also enjoyed boating with family and friends in the summer months. Unfortunately, due to his illness he was unable to make one final trip home, often expressing his desire to return one last time.

Ivan was a kind and generous man, who lived especially for his grandchildren, often slipping them some money when he thought Marilyn wasn’t watching, telling them not to say anything to their grandmother.

Ivan accepted his diagnosis of Leukemia with a quiet humility and courage that we should all hope to have when facing such dire adversity. The family would like to thank Dr. Christina Fraga and the amazing staff on the fourth floor Medical Day Unit at the QE II. Although Ivan didn’t enjoy the many trips to the hospital for the last few years, the staff there always managed to raise his spirits when he got there, with Ivan often speaking fondly of them and how well they treated him.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 11 at A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland St, Dartmouth, from 2PM-5PM. Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday, September 12, 11AM at St. Peter’s Anglican Church 346 Cow Bay Road with Internment in the Church Cemetery immediately following the service. A reception will follow at the Lions Club, 65 Horne’s Road, Eastern Passage. A livestream of Ivan's service will be available at: https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/60237.

Family flowers only, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Eastern Passage.