Donald L. "Shep" Shepherd, 72, of Sanborn, NY passed away Friday May 16, 2014 at Mt. St. Mary Hospital in Lewiston, NY. He was the son of the late Richard and Peggy (Lee) Vielhauer.

Born in Amherst, NY, he graduated from Tonawanda High School. Shep worked as a service technician for National Fuel Gas in Niagara Falls, NY for over thirty five years, and retired in 1995. He also owned and operated Shepherd Heating and Cooling in Sanborn, NY. On July 8, 1972, he married Patricia (Zykas) Shepherd in Niagara Falls, NY. Shep enjoyed competing in drag racing events at Lancaster Speedway, Ransomville Speedway, and the former Niagara Drag Strip. Shep served as a volunteer firefighter and was a life member of the Niagara Hose Fire Company in Tonawanda, and was also a member of the Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company in Sanborn. He was an avid outdoorsman, and was also a member and past president of the Shawnee Sno-Chiefs Snowmobile Club in Sanborn.

In addition to his wife of forty-one years, he is survived by four children, Todd A. (Kim) Shepherd, Tammie Littleton, Chad A. (Christina) Shepherd, and Troy C. Shepherd, and was predeceased by a daughter, Robin Shepherd. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Katie, Alyssa, Christopher, James, Christie, Isaac, Caleb, Joseph, and Bentley, and was predeceased by a grandson, Michael; and also survived by four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday 4 – 8 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD. NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday May 20th at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 4671 Townline Rd, Ransomville, NY with Rev. James Bastian, officiating. EVERYONE WILL ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, PO Box 631, Buffalo, NY 14240 or Camp Good Days and Special Times, 6430 Transit Rd. Ste. 200, Depew, NY 14043.