Eugene W. Shepard

Eugene W.Gene Shepard, 86, of Port Charlotte passed away January 24, 2008 at Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home after a long illness. He was born December 5, 1921 in South Burlington, VT to Arthur B. and Hilda (Cushing) Shepard. Gene graduated from Cathedral High School in Burlington class of 1940 and served in the US Army at Camp Maxey, Texas. He married Leah Lavigne on April 27, 1943 in Winooski, VT. Gene retired from the US Postal Service in 1984. Genes passion was dancing which he and Leah did weekly until his stroke. Dad was a great dancer! Gene will be greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Leah; children, Claire (Tom) Couture of Port Charlotte, Joanne Murray of North Port, Bernard (Amie) Shepard of Mt. Jackson, VA, David (Jane) Shepard of Colchester, VT, Anita (James) Sexton of Burlington, VT, Marion (Donald) Chartrand of Charlotte, VT; stepson, Roland Ferguson of Port Charlotte; 10 grandchildren; brothers, Edward (Gert) Shepard of Burlington, VT, Neil (Barbara) Shepard of Colchester, VT, Gerald (Darlene) of Winooski, Douglas and Lynn (Ann) of Williston; sister, Theresa Lavalette of Burlington; in-laws, Arthur(Dorothy) Lavigne of Colchester, VT, Doris (Fred) Morgan of Putnam, CT, Paul Lavigne of Woodstock, CT and Jeannette (Robert) Chicoine of Putnam, CT. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter Angela and 4 brothers and sisters. A memorial service will be held in Vermont at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home, 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.