Richard F. Shepard, passed away Friday, July 10, 2009 at Lord Chamberlain Nursing Home, Stratford after a long battle with Parkinson's. Richard ("Ike") was born in Bridgeport in 1921, the son of Nell and William Shepard and was a lifelong resident of the North End. He was a 1940 graduate of Central High School, where he played varsity football and baseball. Following high school, he played with the Lenox AA Senior City baseball team and during World War II served as a sergeant in the Army/Air Corps, where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, assisting in deploying planes to the Asian theater. In 1941, he and Dorothy O'Brien, were married at St. Ann Church. Mr. Shepard formerly owned Long Hill Hardware Store in Trumbull. He later worked for the State of Connecticut and retired after 20 years as a toll collector. He was a founding member of the parent support group for the "NDettes", the girl drum corps of Notre Dame High School, in which his three daughters participated. An avid Yankee and NY Football Giants fan, he passed this enthusiasm on to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy, and his four children and their spouses; Susan Shepard and Howard Berger of Andover, MA, Stephanie and Ed Kulhawik of Shelton, Lisa and Michael Barrett of Trumbull, and Timothy and Laurie Shepard of Trumbull. He was a loving grandfather to his 11 grandchildren, Jesse, Meryl and Ned Berger, Jordan and Brett Kulhawik, Ryan Tyler and Casey Barrett and Dale, Kyle and Dylan Shepard. He was predeceased by two brothers, Jack and Robert. Mr. Shepard will be remembered as a man devoted to his wife, four children and grandchildren. He enthusiastically participated in their sports and activities, fostering their education, while tirelessly working to support the family he loved. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff of Lord Chamberlain, especially to the 2nd and 4th floor personnel. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:00am meeting directly in St. Andrew Church, 435 Anton Street, Bridgeport, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Final services will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call Monday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. Those who so desire may make contributions in Richard's memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Connecticut Chapter/APDA, 27 Allendale Drive, North Haven, CT 06473. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com