David Shephard

   Posted Thu June 14, 2007

On June 11, 2007, at 7:11am, my Dad passed away after a long, valiant fight against prostate cancer.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, June 13, from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Rocco's Funeral Home, 331 Main Street, Everett Massachusetts. Funeral will take place at the Immaculate Conception Church in Everett at 11am on Thursday, June 14. Immediately following the Funeral Service, a commitment service and entombment will take place at Holy Cross Mausoleum in Malden, Massachusetts.

Donations be made in memory of Elmer Shephard to The Prostate Cancer Research Fund, Dr. Matthew Smith, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkee 7E, Boston, MA 02114.

Eighteen days ago, we learned that Dad's blood labs showed signs of kidney failure. Lacking a crystal ball, one doctor estimated that Dad had somewhere perhaps between three and six months. Three days ago, on Friday morning, Dad started his day complaining that his coffee was too strong. Three days later -- very long and difficult days, at that -- he is no longer wondering when and how his journey will go.

Dad lived to be 87 years old. A loving husband to Mom for sixty-three years, a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Dad was a man to be admired and remembered.

Awarded the bronze star for bravery in World War II, Dad was a soldier all his life. In true fashion, Dad fought like a soldier against the challenges presented by his cancer.

Dad was blessed to meet some truly remarkable people at the Cancer Center at Massachusetts General Hospital who helped him through the incredible ordeal -- from original diagnosis through drug therapies, the latest drug treatments, delicate procedures, chemo therapy right up to learning that there would be no further treatment and up to this very morning.

On Dad's behalf and on behalf of Dad's family, I want to thank his primary care physician Dr. Joel Bauman who was instrumental in making Dad's final days as peaceful and comfortable as possible; his urologist, Dr. Joseph Grocela and his remarkable 'right hand person' Carmela; the Infusion Unit especially Laura who would share golfing stories while administering Dad's chemo; and most significantly, I want to thank Dr. Matthew Smith who treated Dad with equal parts of humanity, reality, and the very latest science and whom Dad cheered on through several marathons, and Dr. Smith's Nurse Practitioners Melissa Goode and Kara Olivier who administered guidance with hearts bigger than you can imagine.

These good people build strong relationships and make a profound difference in the lives of people who will leave them. It is a simple goodness that brings them to treat each person with a unique dignity. As person after person passes through this cycle of care, these kind, brilliant men and women are strengthened in their resolve to find a cure.

In this spirit, we suggest that donations be made to The Prostate Cancer Research Fund, Dr. Matthew Smith, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkee 7E, Boston, MA 02114.

Sincerely, David

AnnMarie LaFauci

   Posted Thu June 14, 2007

We are so sorry for your loss, and all of our loss. Grandpa was such a wonderful, caring, loving, strong, wise, fun and happy person. We love and miss him. Our prayers are with Grandpa and his beautiful, peaceful eternity with Nana.

With all our Sympathy, AnnMarie & Francesca

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