Townsend: Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of Lunenburg Road, died August 25, 2013, at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital.
Roy was born in Townsend, June 5, 1934, a son of Franklin E. and Ruth E. (Williams) Shepherd and was a lifelong Townsend resident. He was a graduate of Townsend High School, Class of 1952.
For over fifty years, Roy owned and operated Roy D. Shepherd Inc. and Shepherd's Power Lawn & Garden Equipment Company in Townsend. He also actively worked the farm on his property in Townsend.
He served many years on the Townsend Fire Department, retiring in 1990 at the rank of Assistant Chief of the Department. He was a founding member of the Townsend Ambulance Service, serving throughout as an EMT, retring in 2000 as its director. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing paramedic services to the community.
Roy was a longtime active member of the Townsend Congregational Church and a member of the Straw Hollow Club, a group of collectors of antique tractors and trucks.
He was a former member of the Townsend Lions Club, the Wolf Rockers Square Dance Club, the local Grange and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy E. (White) Shepherd; three sons, Gregg S. Shepherd and Gary W. Shepherd both of Townsend, Glen C. Shepherd of Leominster; a daughter, Sandra E. Shepherd – Gay of Ashby; two sisters, Margaret A. Fowler of North Carolina, Ruth L. Shepherd of Templeton; a brother, William Shepherd of Maine. He also leaves 8 grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Franklin A. Shepherd and John R. Shepherd both of Townsend, Grace S. Jones of Lunenburg.
Roy left us suddenly and too soon; but with his boots on. There were many projects left unfinished and certaily things left unsaid. He cast a long shadow that will be missed.
Funeral services will be held 10 Am Friday at the Townsend Congregational Church, 1 Brookline Street, Townsend. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4-7 Thursday at the Fellowship Hall of the Townsend Congregational Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Townsend Senior Center, 1 Dudley Road, Townsend, MA 01469 or to the NMRS Scholarship Foundation , 18 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469 to assist students pursuing careers in agriculture or emergency medical services.
Townsend Fire-EMS Department~
It is with heavy hearts that the members of Townsend Fire-EMS regretfully announce the passing of retired fire chief, retired ambulance director and EMT Roy Shepherd. Roy is the father of Lieutenant Gary Shepherd and retired firefighter Greg Shepherd. Roy devoted many years of service to the town of Townsend, and was a friend to countless members of the community. Rest in peace Roy.
TOWNSEND — Townsend Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the death of a 79-year-old man who was found underneath the quad ATV he had been riding about 8:30 p.m. Sunday near his home.
Emergency crews and police went to 218 Lunenburg Road Sunday night after receiving reports of an ATV accident. Officer James Landi found Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of the same address, lying underneath a quad ATV. His son, Gary Shepherd, was performing CPR on his father, according to police.
Police Chief Erving Marshall called Shepherd's death "a tragic loss for the community."
"He was an icon of the community, which he served with devotion," said Marshall. "He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Shepherd's legacy at the Fire Department still serves the community. During his tenure, he started the ambulance service and was instrumental in bringing Advanced Life Support services into the region, said Fire Chief Donald Klein. Shepherd retired as assistant chief in the early 1980s.
He continued to direct the ambulance service until 2001.
Shepherd and his wife Nancy received the William E. May Endowment Award in 2003. The honor is given annually for commitment and acts of kindness toward residents of Townsend. The Roy and Nancy Shepherd Senior Center, built by Sterilite Corp. for the town in 2009, is named for the couple.
"Nancy and Roy worked so hard to get a senior center," said Assistant Town Clerk Kathy Spofford.
"There's not many who know how much he and Nancy did for this town," said Russ Moore, a member of the Friends of the Townsend Seniors, which helps choose endowment award recipients.
Shepherd had a very good understanding of how things worked mechanically, said William May, the former Townsend police chief for whom the award the Shepherds won is named. He was able to combine the knowledge of machinery he gained from farming with his knowledge of emergency response. In injuries involving machinery, Shepherd was able to extricate victims for treatment.
"There's not many like him in this world," May said. "He was just the very best."
Shepherd was always busy, said friend Susan Gerken. He ran a towing service that responded to police calls and owned Shepherd's Sales and Service on Route 119.
Shepherd's work for the fire and police departments was what people saw, May said, but it was also the things people did not see that made him a great man.
Another friend said Shepherd purchased a plane ticket and provided cash for a local person when a family emergency required travel.
"He tried to make the world a better place, and he raised his family that way," May said.
Shepherd passed on his commitment to the Fire Department. His son Gary is a lieutenant and his son Gregg is a former firefighter.
Shepherd grew up across the road from the property where he died. He was "out in a great cathedral on a beautiful summer evening," said the Rev. Shayna Appel, chaplain for the Fire/EMS Department. The Shepherds are members of the Congregational Church where Appel is pastor.
In addition to his wife Nancy and sons Gregg, Gary and Glen and daughter Sandi Shepherd Gay, he leaves behind many grandchildren.
Roy was born in Townsend, June 5, 1934, a son of Franklin E. and Ruth E. (Williams) Shepherd and was a lifelong Townsend resident. He was a graduate of Townsend High School, Class of 1952.
For over fifty years, Roy owned and operated Roy D. Shepherd Inc. and Shepherd's Power Lawn & Garden Equipment Company in Townsend. He also actively worked the farm on his property in Townsend.
He served many years on the Townsend Fire Department, retiring in 1990 at the rank of Assistant Chief of the Department. He was a founding member of the Townsend Ambulance Service, serving throughout as an EMT, retring in 2000 as its director. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing paramedic services to the community.
Roy was a longtime active member of the Townsend Congregational Church and a member of the Straw Hollow Club, a group of collectors of antique tractors and trucks.
He was a former member of the Townsend Lions Club, the Wolf Rockers Square Dance Club, the local Grange and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy E. (White) Shepherd; three sons, Gregg S. Shepherd and Gary W. Shepherd both of Townsend, Glen C. Shepherd of Leominster; a daughter, Sandra E. Shepherd – Gay of Ashby; two sisters, Margaret A. Fowler of North Carolina, Ruth L. Shepherd of Templeton; a brother, William Shepherd of Maine. He also leaves 8 grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Franklin A. Shepherd and John R. Shepherd both of Townsend, Grace S. Jones of Lunenburg.
Roy left us suddenly and too soon; but with his boots on. There were many projects left unfinished and certaily things left unsaid. He cast a long shadow that will be missed.
Funeral services will be held 10 Am Friday at the Townsend Congregational Church, 1 Brookline Street, Townsend. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4-7 Thursday at the Fellowship Hall of the Townsend Congregational Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Townsend Senior Center, 1 Dudley Road, Townsend, MA 01469 or to the NMRS Scholarship Foundation , 18 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469 to assist students pursuing careers in agriculture or emergency medical services.
Townsend Fire-EMS Department~
It is with heavy hearts that the members of Townsend Fire-EMS regretfully announce the passing of retired fire chief, retired ambulance director and EMT Roy Shepherd. Roy is the father of Lieutenant Gary Shepherd and retired firefighter Greg Shepherd. Roy devoted many years of service to the town of Townsend, and was a friend to countless members of the community. Rest in peace Roy.
TOWNSEND — Townsend Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the death of a 79-year-old man who was found underneath the quad ATV he had been riding about 8:30 p.m. Sunday near his home.
Emergency crews and police went to 218 Lunenburg Road Sunday night after receiving reports of an ATV accident. Officer James Landi found Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of the same address, lying underneath a quad ATV. His son, Gary Shepherd, was performing CPR on his father, according to police.
Police Chief Erving Marshall called Shepherd's death "a tragic loss for the community."
"He was an icon of the community, which he served with devotion," said Marshall. "He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Shepherd's legacy at the Fire Department still serves the community. During his tenure, he started the ambulance service and was instrumental in bringing Advanced Life Support services into the region, said Fire Chief Donald Klein. Shepherd retired as assistant chief in the early 1980s.
He continued to direct the ambulance service until 2001.
Shepherd and his wife Nancy received the William E. May Endowment Award in 2003. The honor is given annually for commitment and acts of kindness toward residents of Townsend. The Roy and Nancy Shepherd Senior Center, built by Sterilite Corp. for the town in 2009, is named for the couple.
"Nancy and Roy worked so hard to get a senior center," said Assistant Town Clerk Kathy Spofford.
"There's not many who know how much he and Nancy did for this town," said Russ Moore, a member of the Friends of the Townsend Seniors, which helps choose endowment award recipients.
Shepherd had a very good understanding of how things worked mechanically, said William May, the former Townsend police chief for whom the award the Shepherds won is named. He was able to combine the knowledge of machinery he gained from farming with his knowledge of emergency response. In injuries involving machinery, Shepherd was able to extricate victims for treatment.
"There's not many like him in this world," May said. "He was just the very best."
Shepherd was always busy, said friend Susan Gerken. He ran a towing service that responded to police calls and owned Shepherd's Sales and Service on Route 119.
Shepherd's work for the fire and police departments was what people saw, May said, but it was also the things people did not see that made him a great man.
Another friend said Shepherd purchased a plane ticket and provided cash for a local person when a family emergency required travel.
"He tried to make the world a better place, and he raised his family that way," May said.
Shepherd passed on his commitment to the Fire Department. His son Gary is a lieutenant and his son Gregg is a former firefighter.
Shepherd grew up across the road from the property where he died. He was "out in a great cathedral on a beautiful summer evening," said the Rev. Shayna Appel, chaplain for the Fire/EMS Department. The Shepherds are members of the Congregational Church where Appel is pastor.
In addition to his wife Nancy and sons Gregg, Gary and Glen and daughter Sandi Shepherd Gay, he leaves behind many grandchildren.
Townsend: Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of Lunenburg Road, died August 25, 2013, at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital.
Roy was born in Townsend, June 5, 1934, a son of Franklin E. and Ruth E. (Williams) Shepherd and was a lifelong Townsend resident. He was a graduate of Townsend High School, Class of 1952.
For over fifty years, Roy owned and operated Roy D. Shepherd Inc. and Shepherd's Power Lawn & Garden Equipment Company in Townsend. He also actively worked the farm on his property in Townsend.
He served many years on the Townsend Fire Department, retiring in 1990 at the rank of Assistant Chief of the Department. He was a founding member of the Townsend Ambulance Service, serving throughout as an EMT, retring in 2000 as its director. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing paramedic services to the community.
Roy was a longtime active member of the Townsend Congregational Church and a member of the Straw Hollow Club, a group of collectors of antique tractors and trucks.
He was a former member of the Townsend Lions Club, the Wolf Rockers Square Dance Club, the local Grange and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy E. (White) Shepherd; three sons, Gregg S. Shepherd and Gary W. Shepherd both of Townsend, Glen C. Shepherd of Leominster; a daughter, Sandra E. Shepherd – Gay of Ashby; two sisters, Margaret A. Fowler of North Carolina, Ruth L. Shepherd of Templeton; a brother, William Shepherd of Maine. He also leaves 8 grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Franklin A. Shepherd and John R. Shepherd both of Townsend, Grace S. Jones of Lunenburg.
Roy left us suddenly and too soon; but with his boots on. There were many projects left unfinished and certaily things left unsaid. He cast a long shadow that will be missed.
Funeral services will be held 10 Am Friday at the Townsend Congregational Church, 1 Brookline Street, Townsend. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4-7 Thursday at the Fellowship Hall of the Townsend Congregational Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Townsend Senior Center, 1 Dudley Road, Townsend, MA 01469 or to the NMRS Scholarship Foundation , 18 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469 to assist students pursuing careers in agriculture or emergency medical services.
Townsend Fire-EMS Department~
It is with heavy hearts that the members of Townsend Fire-EMS regretfully announce the passing of retired fire chief, retired ambulance director and EMT Roy Shepherd. Roy is the father of Lieutenant Gary Shepherd and retired firefighter Greg Shepherd. Roy devoted many years of service to the town of Townsend, and was a friend to countless members of the community. Rest in peace Roy.
TOWNSEND — Townsend Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the death of a 79-year-old man who was found underneath the quad ATV he had been riding about 8:30 p.m. Sunday near his home.
Emergency crews and police went to 218 Lunenburg Road Sunday night after receiving reports of an ATV accident. Officer James Landi found Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of the same address, lying underneath a quad ATV. His son, Gary Shepherd, was performing CPR on his father, according to police.
Police Chief Erving Marshall called Shepherd's death "a tragic loss for the community."
"He was an icon of the community, which he served with devotion," said Marshall. "He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Shepherd's legacy at the Fire Department still serves the community. During his tenure, he started the ambulance service and was instrumental in bringing Advanced Life Support services into the region, said Fire Chief Donald Klein. Shepherd retired as assistant chief in the early 1980s.
He continued to direct the ambulance service until 2001.
Shepherd and his wife Nancy received the William E. May Endowment Award in 2003. The honor is given annually for commitment and acts of kindness toward residents of Townsend. The Roy and Nancy Shepherd Senior Center, built by Sterilite Corp. for the town in 2009, is named for the couple.
"Nancy and Roy worked so hard to get a senior center," said Assistant Town Clerk Kathy Spofford.
"There's not many who know how much he and Nancy did for this town," said Russ Moore, a member of the Friends of the Townsend Seniors, which helps choose endowment award recipients.
Shepherd had a very good understanding of how things worked mechanically, said William May, the former Townsend police chief for whom the award the Shepherds won is named. He was able to combine the knowledge of machinery he gained from farming with his knowledge of emergency response. In injuries involving machinery, Shepherd was able to extricate victims for treatment.
"There's not many like him in this world," May said. "He was just the very best."
Shepherd was always busy, said friend Susan Gerken. He ran a towing service that responded to police calls and owned Shepherd's Sales and Service on Route 119.
Shepherd's work for the fire and police departments was what people saw, May said, but it was also the things people did not see that made him a great man.
Another friend said Shepherd purchased a plane ticket and provided cash for a local person when a family emergency required travel.
"He tried to make the world a better place, and he raised his family that way," May said.
Shepherd passed on his commitment to the Fire Department. His son Gary is a lieutenant and his son Gregg is a former firefighter.
Shepherd grew up across the road from the property where he died. He was "out in a great cathedral on a beautiful summer evening," said the Rev. Shayna Appel, chaplain for the Fire/EMS Department. The Shepherds are members of the Congregational Church where Appel is pastor.
In addition to his wife Nancy and sons Gregg, Gary and Glen and daughter Sandi Shepherd Gay, he leaves behind many grandchildren.
Roy was born in Townsend, June 5, 1934, a son of Franklin E. and Ruth E. (Williams) Shepherd and was a lifelong Townsend resident. He was a graduate of Townsend High School, Class of 1952.
For over fifty years, Roy owned and operated Roy D. Shepherd Inc. and Shepherd's Power Lawn & Garden Equipment Company in Townsend. He also actively worked the farm on his property in Townsend.
He served many years on the Townsend Fire Department, retiring in 1990 at the rank of Assistant Chief of the Department. He was a founding member of the Townsend Ambulance Service, serving throughout as an EMT, retring in 2000 as its director. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing paramedic services to the community.
Roy was a longtime active member of the Townsend Congregational Church and a member of the Straw Hollow Club, a group of collectors of antique tractors and trucks.
He was a former member of the Townsend Lions Club, the Wolf Rockers Square Dance Club, the local Grange and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy E. (White) Shepherd; three sons, Gregg S. Shepherd and Gary W. Shepherd both of Townsend, Glen C. Shepherd of Leominster; a daughter, Sandra E. Shepherd – Gay of Ashby; two sisters, Margaret A. Fowler of North Carolina, Ruth L. Shepherd of Templeton; a brother, William Shepherd of Maine. He also leaves 8 grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Franklin A. Shepherd and John R. Shepherd both of Townsend, Grace S. Jones of Lunenburg.
Roy left us suddenly and too soon; but with his boots on. There were many projects left unfinished and certaily things left unsaid. He cast a long shadow that will be missed.
Funeral services will be held 10 Am Friday at the Townsend Congregational Church, 1 Brookline Street, Townsend. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Calling hours are 4-7 Thursday at the Fellowship Hall of the Townsend Congregational Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Townsend Senior Center, 1 Dudley Road, Townsend, MA 01469 or to the NMRS Scholarship Foundation , 18 Main Street, Townsend, MA 01469 to assist students pursuing careers in agriculture or emergency medical services.
Townsend Fire-EMS Department~
It is with heavy hearts that the members of Townsend Fire-EMS regretfully announce the passing of retired fire chief, retired ambulance director and EMT Roy Shepherd. Roy is the father of Lieutenant Gary Shepherd and retired firefighter Greg Shepherd. Roy devoted many years of service to the town of Townsend, and was a friend to countless members of the community. Rest in peace Roy.
TOWNSEND — Townsend Police and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the death of a 79-year-old man who was found underneath the quad ATV he had been riding about 8:30 p.m. Sunday near his home.
Emergency crews and police went to 218 Lunenburg Road Sunday night after receiving reports of an ATV accident. Officer James Landi found Roy D. Shepherd, 79, of the same address, lying underneath a quad ATV. His son, Gary Shepherd, was performing CPR on his father, according to police.
Police Chief Erving Marshall called Shepherd's death "a tragic loss for the community."
"He was an icon of the community, which he served with devotion," said Marshall. "He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Shepherd's legacy at the Fire Department still serves the community. During his tenure, he started the ambulance service and was instrumental in bringing Advanced Life Support services into the region, said Fire Chief Donald Klein. Shepherd retired as assistant chief in the early 1980s.
He continued to direct the ambulance service until 2001.
Shepherd and his wife Nancy received the William E. May Endowment Award in 2003. The honor is given annually for commitment and acts of kindness toward residents of Townsend. The Roy and Nancy Shepherd Senior Center, built by Sterilite Corp. for the town in 2009, is named for the couple.
"Nancy and Roy worked so hard to get a senior center," said Assistant Town Clerk Kathy Spofford.
"There's not many who know how much he and Nancy did for this town," said Russ Moore, a member of the Friends of the Townsend Seniors, which helps choose endowment award recipients.
Shepherd had a very good understanding of how things worked mechanically, said William May, the former Townsend police chief for whom the award the Shepherds won is named. He was able to combine the knowledge of machinery he gained from farming with his knowledge of emergency response. In injuries involving machinery, Shepherd was able to extricate victims for treatment.
"There's not many like him in this world," May said. "He was just the very best."
Shepherd was always busy, said friend Susan Gerken. He ran a towing service that responded to police calls and owned Shepherd's Sales and Service on Route 119.
Shepherd's work for the fire and police departments was what people saw, May said, but it was also the things people did not see that made him a great man.
Another friend said Shepherd purchased a plane ticket and provided cash for a local person when a family emergency required travel.
"He tried to make the world a better place, and he raised his family that way," May said.
Shepherd passed on his commitment to the Fire Department. His son Gary is a lieutenant and his son Gregg is a former firefighter.
Shepherd grew up across the road from the property where he died. He was "out in a great cathedral on a beautiful summer evening," said the Rev. Shayna Appel, chaplain for the Fire/EMS Department. The Shepherds are members of the Congregational Church where Appel is pastor.
In addition to his wife Nancy and sons Gregg, Gary and Glen and daughter Sandi Shepherd Gay, he leaves behind many grandchildren.
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