Charles E. Shepard, 78

10/21/2017

ADAMS, Mass. — Mr. Charles Edward Shepard, 78, of Adams died on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

He was born in Adams on September 14, 1939, a son of the late Charles and Noella (LaBelle) Shepard. He attended schools in North Adams and graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School.

Mr. Shepard was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having served with the United States Air Force until receiving his Honorable Discharge as Airman first class on August 12, 1963.

Mr. Shepard worked as a computer programmer for General Dynamics, Pittsfield, until retiring. Earlier he had worked for General Electric Co., Pittsfield.

He was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II at Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church., Adams. He had been a coach for the Adams, Cheshire, Savoy Youth Soccer program and was very interested in computer technology and family ancestry research.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Virginia A. Welch, whom he married on February 13, 1960; seven sons, Mark Shepard of Adams, Scott Shepard and his wife Dawn of Clarksburg, Charles Shepard of Adams, Todd Shepard and his wife Sandra of Pittsfield, Timothy Shepard and his wife Lori of Stamford, Vt., Duane Shepard of Cheshire and Damian Shepard and his husband Brian of Adams; two daughters, Christine Gamari and her husband Steven and Marie Johnson and her husband David, all of Clarksburg; two brothers, Eugene Shepard and his wife Beatrice of Pittsfield and Wayne Shepard of North Adams; three sisters, Alice Beaudreau of Simsbury, Conn., Susan Sanchis and her husband Carlos of New Britain, Conn., and Jacqueline Brown and her husband Timothy of Adams; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Jessica Anne Coury.

Funeral notice: The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 9 a.m. from the Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church, McKinley Square, Adams, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours are Wednesday, October 25, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alert Hose Company, 3 Columbia St., Adams, MA 01220.

Obituary Provided By: Paciorek Funeral Home

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Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Charles E. Shepard, 78

Memorials

Dear Ginger and Family, There are really no word that can sum up Chucky. He was such a wonderful man full of life and laughter. We are tinkinking of all of you during this sad and difficult time. Chuck will always be remembered as he lived, well. Heaven must be singing in Gory of his arrival as they gained a new Angel. Love, Cindy ( a 1st cousin)
from: Cindy	on: 10-25-2017

I was mistaken and corrected. My grandmother would have been his Aunt. It's a big family so it's hard to keep track of more than those within a generation or two.
from: James	on: 10-24-2017

I might not have had much contact with Charles for a while, but I remember back when I was a kid (about 1987/88) me and my father visited Uncle Charles (I called him Uncle Chucky back then) and he gave us a bus mouse for our computer. I remember back in those days his computer room was littered with various computer hardware, and his computer was a tower, with a full-height hdd (not common back then and would have been extremely expensive). I also have memories of before then where on holloween my family always made it a habit to hit all the relatives houses for a very short visit, and most would have a separate pile of candy for relatives. I give all close relatives my sympathy --A Great-Nephew, grandson of his late sister Irene.
from: James	on: 10-24-2017