Southwick – Weston B. Shepard, Jr. passed away Sunday, February 12, 2017 in Southwick, MA. Known as Shep, Wes to many, he was born in New Haven, CT, on September19, 1923. He is survived by his wife Gretchen Honsberger Shepard, and was preceded in death by his first wife of 62 years, Patricia Boutelle Shepard. He leaves three daughters, Patricia Susan Shepard Spear and husband Robert, Rachel Shepard-Cody, and Sarah Shepard Leuschner and husband Alfred. He was a grandfather to six grandchildren, E. James Smith, Abigail Smith, Melanie Smith, Katherine Mattera and husband Trevor, Benjamin L. Bragg V and wife Julia, and Samuel Leuschner, as well as two great grandchildren, Shepard Obergand Lily Bragg. He is also survived by his brother-in-law George Doerr.Weston was predeceased by his parents, Weston B. Shepard and Julia Tibbals Shepard, two brothers, Ronald Shepard and Elwood Shepard, his sister Nancy Shepard Doerr, and son-in-law Frank Cody.
After graduating from Branford High School in Connecticut in 1941, Weston enlisted in the Navy, serving in the South Pacific Solomon Islands Campaign of WWII as an aerial gunner, in Bombing Squadron VB-98. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two Gold Stars. Following discharge,he participated in a GI Bill Engineering Program which led to a career in sales for mechanical fields. The family moved to Westfield, Massachusetts in 1955. Weston worked for HB Smith Company for many years, ultimately becoming Vice President of Sales. He later formed his own independent sales agency, marketing heating equipment in New England and upstate New York. He ended his career as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Vulcan Radiator Corporation, a Mestek Company,of South Windsor, CT.In 1963, a move to Blandford, MA, brought years of happiness to the Shepards.The entire family and visitors congregated for many festive holiday celebrations.
Wes served the Town of Blandford as Selectman, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman and Animal Inspector. He was a longtime member of The First Congregational Church of Westfield, serving as Deacon and Chairman of the World Service and By-Law Committees. Weston served as Director of United Bank and was President of the Westfield Watershed Association in its formative years.Weston was a member of the Get Together Club of Westfield. He was an avid horseman, partaking in long distance competitive trail rides. He was an outdoors-man,scoutmaster and participated in wilderness canoe trips in Maine with his best friend, Jim Stow. Also an accomplished artist, he recorded his love of the outdoors with paintings done in watercolor, oils and pastels.
A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, Westfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday February 25th at 11:00 A.M. Burial, with full Military Honors, will take place at the Blandford Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are made by Firtion-Adams.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The First Congregational Church, Westfield or Baystate Health Foundation, Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. Firtionadams.com
