RALPH E. SHEPHERD, Jr. CAPE CANAVERAL

Ralph E. Shepherd, Jr., 83, died Friday, February 1, 2008 at Cedar Creek Life Center in Merritt Island, surrounded by family. Ralph was the husband of the late Leone (Searway) Shepherd who predeceased him in 2002. Born and raised in Waltham, MA he was the only child of the late Ralph E. and Katherine (Keane) Shepherd. Originally from Newton, MA, Ralph relocated to Merritt Island with his family in 1975, and then became a resident of Cape Canaveral in 1998.

Prior to retirement in 1993, he was an electronics engineer specializing in video launch tracking systems for Lockheed/ United Space Alliance and antenna systems for PRC, Raytheon and Picard and Burns.

He was a graduate of Northeastern University. A veteran of World War II he served with the U.S. Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets as a radioman from 1942 to 1946.He enjoyed camping with his family and numerous other outdoor recreational activities. He and Leone also enjoyed travel and visited throughout North America, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Egypt and New Zealand.

He is survived by four children and their families, Peter Shepherd and his wife Patricia of Natick, MA, Martha Pessaro (Keith Wiggins) of Merritt Island, Patricia Harmon (Gary Waid) of Titusville, and Thomas Shepherd and his wife Terry of Merritt Island; his six grandchildren, Michelle (Pessaro) Collins and her husband Jason of Merritt Island, Dr. Mariah (Harmon) Patterson and her husband Capt. Dan of Ocala, Lisa (Shepherd) Leon and her husband Mario of Newton, MA, Garrett Shepherd and his wife Claudia of Natick, MA, Michael Shepherd of Brighton, MA, Michael Duncan of NYC; and a great-granddaughter, Brianna Shepherd of Natick, MA; three nephews and family of Bar Harbor ME, and Billerica, MA. Ralph also leaves his special best friend and companion, Lorraine Stitt of Cape Canaveral, and his faithful canine, Wally.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Brevard County, 4450 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Suite 280 Melbourne, FL 32934.