Contributions to the tribute of Roy Sheppard

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Kenneth & Karen Allin pledged to donate to THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN FOUNDATION

Friday, June 18, 2021

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Louise MacLean donated to THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN FOUNDATION

Thursday, June 17, 2021

My condolences to your family.

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Patti Horan and family donated to THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN FOUNDATION

Monday, June 14, 2021

Kathy, Jim, Rebecca, Laura, Michael and family Sending healing thoughts and prayers during this sad time.

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The family of Roy Sheppard uploaded a photo

Monday, June 14, 2021

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The family of Roy Sheppard uploaded a photo

Sunday, June 13, 2021

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The Family lit a candle

Sunday, June 13, 2021

Roy Joseph Peter Sheppard passed away at his cherished home in Salem, Ontario on June 9th, 2021 at the age of 87. Roy was born to Clarence and Helen (Burns) Sheppard in Brockville, Ontario at his grandmothers home. His father was an auto mechanic from Toronto and his mother, born in Brockville was working as a secretary in Toronto previous to marriage. Roy was the fourth child of six raised in Willowdale, Ontario in the Roman Catholic faith. Roy grew up in a house on Sheppard Ave with his parents, four sisters and brother. He had many stories about growing up; - The long walk with his father to pick up a cow they bought only to realize his father didn’t know how to handle a cow (being raised as a city boy in Toronto) and having to call his mother to come who was able to walk it all the way home without any issues. - The bully story…..An older boy continued to tease a younger boy and several times Roy told the bully to “knock it off”, but I think it was the little guy in tears that drove our quiet, mild mannered Roy to challenge the bully to a meeting on the hill after school. Roy waited for the first punch then fought back and needless to say the bully stopped teasing the younger boy. Roy and the bully even became friends. - Mr. French…Their neighbour next door who provided excitement for the family by pulling pranks on their father. All in good fun of course! - Enjoying time skating at Hog’s Hollow in the winter and swimming in the Don River during the summer with his brother and sisters and friends. - Finding an injured bird, bringing it home and his mother putting it on the dining room table in a basket with a veil over it. Well it was a nice thought on both their parts, at least it was until the outside cat got in the house and well you can guess what happened! - Church on Sunday - The whole family spending a month each summer in Brockville at his grandmothers. Roy really enjoyed those times playing with his cousins. It’s where he learned to smoke and got a bean in his ear. - Stories about his moms wonderful dinners, baking and Christmas pudding. Fresh Air, Good Food, Fun, Family and Faith, sounds like the formation of the man we knew as “Dad”. As Roy grew into his teens he worked at several gas stations and finally was able to take an apprenticeship. Before long Roy was working as a mechanic. During that time a family moved into the neighbourhood, actually right across the street from his house. Inside was a determined young lady who had her eyes set on this handsome red head, freckled young man. Dad didn’t stand a chance. LOL. In 1952 Roy and Dodie were married. As Roy continued to improve upon his skill as a mechanic, his family grew. First arrival was Therese who Roy gave his own nickname to, “Red”. Then almost a year to the day another daughter was born, Kathleen. I guess things do come in threes cause 1 year and four months later their first son Michael was born. Roy and Dodie proceeded to take about six years off before working on the next three, Mary, Paul and finally Colleen. I think Dodie was somewhat like Roys mother. Both providing a nurturing environment, with also the knowhow to keep a large close knit family with a very clean house, great food, special birthday dinners and of course church on Sunday. Roy continued to work hard. It showed in the awards Roy won as an auto mechanic. Even though he worked hard he still had time for family. These fun times consisted of CrokinoIe, Billards, Horseshoes, Cards, Golf and going to the Horseraces. Every summer we would have a picnic at Niagara Falls and Midland Shrine. Roy worked over 20 years for Toronto Trust Cemeteries as manager of the repair shop. He enjoyed working with his “second family” and I believe missed it for awhile when he first retired. While in Willowdale Roy always rented a house until 1985 when he was able to purchase his own home with several acres in Salem, Ontario. On Friday nights after work he couldn’t wait to leave the city behind and get out into the fresh air and open spaces of his country house. Roy loved being there and always said he wanted to live his days out relaxing on his porch. Roy was able to achieve that goal on his own terms. In all his 87 years he missed very few weekend masses and said his rosary everyday. Even though Roy struggled for many years with his health his comment would be “It is what it is”, he rarely complained and always had a smile on his face. Until we meet again, XO

In loving memory of

Roy

1934 - 2021

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