Mr. Charles E. Shepard

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, CT, Susan Sanchis and her husband Carlos of New Britain, CT and Jacqueline Brown and her husband Timothy of Adams; twenty four grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Jessica Anne Coury. The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 26, at 9:00 A.M. from the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 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 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alert Hose Company, 3 Columbia St., Adams, MA 01220.

Mr. Charles E. Shepard

September 14, 1939 - October 21, 2017