It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul R Sheppard, aged 79, at the Kingston General Hospital on October 11, 2021. Originally from Barrie Ontario, Paul was a graduate of the University of Toronto, moving first to London Ontario, then settling in Brockville in 1969. A beloved English teacher at TISS for 30+ years and the Brockville Alternative school, Paul's teaching was a true vocation for him, passing on his passion for learning and for literature to the multiple generations of students he taught, until his retirement in 1998. He amazed his family, friends and all that knew him with his ability to converse with enthusiasm and knowledge on virtually any subject, and yet still leading with a humility and curiosity to learn more. He drew a large social circle around him of people interested in music, religion, philosophy, languages, photography, ancestry, history, science, astronomy and the natural world. He had a lifelong love for the railroad and for singing, and was a proud member of several railroad and historical societies, and a joyous participant in barbershop choruses and quartets, musical theatre and community choirs in Brockville and elsewhere. Paul was very active: camping, cycling, walking and traveling, and was a proud member of Probus, le Club St-Laurent, the Brockville Operatic Society, and Friends of the Brockville Museum. Guided by his deep Catholic faith throughout his life, Paul was an active member of St Francis Xavier parish. He felt strongly about supporting the well-being of people in his community, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the Brockville General Hospital, serving on the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital board, and was the first President of the Brockville St. Vincent de Paul Society, among many others. Paul is pre-deceased by his parents, Constance and HD Sheppard of Barrie and his parents-in-law, Myrtle and Patrick Walsh of Stratford. Paul will be greatly missed by his wife of 55 years, Joan (Walsh) Sheppard, his brother, Chris Sheppard (Becky Fitton), his children Julie Sheppard-Greenhow (Michael), Eric Sheppard (Christina Scherf), Janine Sheppard Kavander (Mike), his grandchildren Liam Charbonneau (Megan Wotherspoon), Oliver Charbonneau, Christina Sheppard-Greenhow, Evan Sheppard-Greenhow and Alek Sheppard dos Santos and his great-grandson, Auggy Charbonneau. He is also survived by in-laws, nieces and nephews from the Walsh and Sheppard families, and will be missed by his countless friends in Brockville, across Canada and the US. Family will receive friends at the Barclay Funeral Home, 137 Pearl Street E., Brockville, Ontario on Friday October 15th, 2021, from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. The Liturgy of the Christian Funeral will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church on Saturday October 16th, 2021 at 1 p.m. In memory of Paul, donations gratefully accepted by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Brockville and Area Food Bank and Brockville General Hospital Palliative Care. Messages of condolences may be made online at www.barclayfuneralhome.com. Due to the COVID restrictions, please call the Funeral Home at 613-342-2792 if you would like to attend the Visitation or The Liturgy of the Christian Funeral. Everyone must wear a mask indoors. All attendees must follow these directives: Registrar’s Directive: https://thebao.ca/registrars-directive-bao-chart-revised-some-limits-adjusted/