Obituary of James Shepherd

Jim passed away peacefully at the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital a month after his 83rd birthday.  After a long year of health issues, we send enormous gratitude to the entire caring teams of professionals at both hospitals.

Jim grew up in Toronto, the son of Don and Mary Shepherd and the eldest sibling of Richard and Barbara. Jim had a lengthy career in sales and marketing starting in his twenties at Maclean Hunter where he formed life long friendships.  He then worked for Outdoor Canada Magazine, Time Magazine and then, his dream job of many years at TSN.  The exciting pace of television and live sports became the thrill of his life.  He was fortunate enough to travel to many places, host and organize the private boxes for clients for endless Jays and Leaf games, attend 3 Superbowls, All Star games and the Toronto championship World Series.  

After spending all of his summers at Christie Lake where his family had owned property since 1910, he moved to Perth in 2003 where he loved being, and always said he should have done it years earlier.  Jim was married to Barb Shepherd for 45 years and they had two children, Lindsey and Tim (deceased).  Tim's two kids, Harlan and Flynn are the 5th generation to fish and boat around the lake he loved.

Jim's later years were very quiet at home but his earlier life was more adventurous. A talented skier, who instructed others in his 20's, played golf, hunted partridge, trained his golden retrievers and would always want to fish.  Jim loved his era of music from Paul Simon, Jim Croce and especially Elvis. He loved old movies and forced his young daughter to watch the classics including many in black and white that were always resisted but eventually adored.  The passions he loved of sports, films, music and the activities at the lake were passed along to his kids and bonded everyone together.  Barb, Lindsey and long time friends will miss his famous spaghetti sauce, roasted chickens on Sunday nights and the line he would whisper at 5pm almost every night... "it's tiiimmme for a beer".  He will live on with us and on the shores of Christie Lake, the only place he always wanted to be.  

A celebration will be held for friends and family this summer.  

Thank you to everyone for your love and support.