Obituary for Thomas Sheppard
Thomas Gerard Sheppard, 51, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on February 3, 2021, at home.
Tom was born September 23, 1969, to Thomas and Jean Sheppard. He grew up in Baldwin, New York, graduated from Baldwin High School in 1987, continued his education at Kean College, earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1991, and graduated from Long Island University School of Education with a master’s degree in 1995.
After a brief career as a teacher, Tom attended the United States Customs Service Academy, was certified as a Customs Inspector and began a long and successful career with the Department of Homeland Security.
As a young man, Tom worked as a camp counselor at Brookwood Summer Camp where he made life-long friends. Tom was an avid fan of the New York Jets, Stephen King novels, and Bruce Springsteen, with whom (he liked to point out) he shared a birthday. He was also particularly proud of his New York Yankees pedigree, as his great-uncle was Bob Sheppard, “The Voice of Yankee Stadium.” He enjoyed playing in softball, volleyball and bowling leagues with his friends, and intense games of Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit with his family. He was a great friend, a dedicated teammate, a loving brother and uncle, and a wonderful son.
He is survived by his mother, Jean Sheppard, of Lindenhurst, New York; his brother, Paul Sheppard, of Binghamton, New York; his sisters and their spouses, Kathy and Carlos Fernandez of Crofton, Maryland, and Tricia and Mike Buckley, of Lindenhurst, New York; nine nieces and nephews (Mike Sheppard, Brianna Sheppard, Cailean Sheppard, Kyle Sheppard, Fiona Buckley, Mick Buckley, Declan Buckley, Amanda Fernandez and Sinead Buckley); and many, many uncles, aunts and cousins, including his close friends Ray and Neil Hendrick.
He was predeceased by his father and namesake, Thomas Sheppard, who also died too young.
Tom was born September 23, 1969, to Thomas and Jean Sheppard. He grew up in Baldwin, New York, graduated from Baldwin High School in 1987, continued his education at Kean College, earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1991, and graduated from Long Island University School of Education with a master’s degree in 1995.
After a brief career as a teacher, Tom attended the United States Customs Service Academy, was certified as a Customs Inspector and began a long and successful career with the Department of Homeland Security.
As a young man, Tom worked as a camp counselor at Brookwood Summer Camp where he made life-long friends. Tom was an avid fan of the New York Jets, Stephen King novels, and Bruce Springsteen, with whom (he liked to point out) he shared a birthday. He was also particularly proud of his New York Yankees pedigree, as his great-uncle was Bob Sheppard, “The Voice of Yankee Stadium.” He enjoyed playing in softball, volleyball and bowling leagues with his friends, and intense games of Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit with his family. He was a great friend, a dedicated teammate, a loving brother and uncle, and a wonderful son.
He is survived by his mother, Jean Sheppard, of Lindenhurst, New York; his brother, Paul Sheppard, of Binghamton, New York; his sisters and their spouses, Kathy and Carlos Fernandez of Crofton, Maryland, and Tricia and Mike Buckley, of Lindenhurst, New York; nine nieces and nephews (Mike Sheppard, Brianna Sheppard, Cailean Sheppard, Kyle Sheppard, Fiona Buckley, Mick Buckley, Declan Buckley, Amanda Fernandez and Sinead Buckley); and many, many uncles, aunts and cousins, including his close friends Ray and Neil Hendrick.
He was predeceased by his father and namesake, Thomas Sheppard, who also died too young.