Donald Shepherd

Donald W. Shepherd, 88, of East Hartford, loving husband of the late Patricia (Burbank) Shepherd, peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Manchester Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Hartford on March 26, 1929, a son of the late William and Florence (Hatton) Shepherd, he had resided in East Hartford for most of his life. Donald was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of the VFW Post #2083 in East Hartford. Prior to his retirement, Donald was a Truck Driver for many years at First National Supermarket, East Hartford and also worked for several years at Glastonbury Carpet Workshop. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants football team and a loyal fan of NASCAR racing. Most of all, Donald enjoyed going to Gardner Lake in Salem and driving the golf cart and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Donald is survived by three sons, William “Shep” Shepherd and his wife Catherine of Hampton, VA, Robert “Bob” Shepherd and his wife Bettina of Enfield, Michael “Shep” Shepherd and his wife Sharri of East Hampton; a daughter, Donna L. Shakir and her husband Ed of Hebron; six grandchildren, Allen Shepherd, Diana Newman and her husband Chase, David Shakir, Cheryl Shepherd, Christopher Shakir, Lauren Shepherd; two step-grandchildren, Sean Fightmaster and his wife Kelly, Amy Maynard and her husband Brian; two great-grandsons, Kellan and Mason Newman; two step-greatgrandchildren, Wolfgang Fightmaster and Sadie Maynard; along with several nieces, nephews, and dear friends. In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Donald was predeceased by two sisters, Marjorie Rogers of Groton, Joan Peachey of Kennewick, WA.

Funeral service will be Friday (April 28, 2017) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday morning). Burial with military honors will follow at Hillside Cemetery-Veterans Memorial Field #1, East Hartford. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Donald’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Highway, 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. The D’ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.

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