
Shepperd, Captain Bruce Donald
Captain Bruce Shepperd passed away peacefully at Brightshores Health System ‘Meaford Hospital’ on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the age of 95.

Born in Toronto on October 26, 1927, Bruce was a son of the late Arthur and Violet (nee Ferguson) Shepperd.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Lucille Shepperd (nee Juniper) and his son Bradly Shepperd.
Bruce was the dear father of Brian Shepperd (Vicki), Susan O’Hara (Dennis) and Scott Shepperd (Samantha).
He was the proud grandfather of Terry, Colleen, Todd (Lori), Sherry, Brian, Bobbi Sue (Mike), Tyler, Jacob, Mark, Maria, Michelle, and Doyle, and great grandfather of Zachary, Mackenzie, Taylor, Aleksandria, Natalya, Liam, Josiah, Taylor, Abigail, Kade, James, Maddox, Isabella, Tyler, Scott, Parker, Rhyder, Hunter, Hailey, Luka, Anthony, Lillian, Brooklynne and Dayton. Bruce was predeceased by his great granddaughter Caelyn.
Bruce was predeceased by his siblings Aileen, Jim, Ronald, Jean, Don, Helen, and Frank, and will be remembered fondly by his sister-in-law Marie Shepperd, brother-in-law Al Juniper (Verna) and by his many nieces, nephews and their families.
Captain Bruce Shepperd sailed on the Great Lakes for over 40 years. He started working on ships at age 13 shovelling coal into the boilers for the engines on a steam ship. He worked his way up through the ranks of Algoma Central Railway, Marine Division to become the Commadore of the fleet. Bruce took all the new ships out of the Collingwood Shipyards for Algoma.
Bruce proudly volunteered for many years working around the harbour and within the Town of Meaford. With many friends in the Canadian Coast Guard, he acquired the Coast Guard Cutter that now sits at the Meaford Harbour. Bruce was pleased to be able to donate the ship artifacts around the coast guard cutter. His home is a tribute to his years on the lakes. Every year something would show up for his lawn display, much to Lucille’s dismay! Bruce renovated and built all the cabinets in the museum. He was an accomplished wood worker, building displays for Christmas and Halloween to put on display at home and in the town. He built scale models of some of the ships he was Captain of which are priceless to his family. In his later years Bruce also loved working as a crossing guard for the schools which allowed him to get out and help others, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Bruce’s family will be forever grateful for the friendship and support shown by Suzanne, Rosemary, Jim and Brenda when Bruce needed it most.
A graveside service of committal and interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 1 :30 p.m.
As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Graveside Service at Lakeview Cemetery, Meaford, ON
Make a donation in memory of Captain Bruce Donald Shepperd
Donations: Meaford Hospital FoundationDonate with the following link(s)
https://mhfoundation.ca/donate/
Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Thursday, October 26, 2023
I remember the first day my Best Friend Terry took me to meet her grandparents, it was the first of many trips. I was calling them Mr and Mrs Shepperd and her grandma says, please that would be Grandma and Grandpa to you. We would listen to stories, play with the dogs, go on walks, share meals. Exploring the yard and the garage and listening to stories of the boats was always a pleasure. Not to mention Brad took me on as one of his own too, the love was real. To the family and friends my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours may he rest in peace as I am sure he will for all the love and smalls he brought to all he knew.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
So sorry to hear of Bruce’s passing.
My sincere condolences to Scott and the entire family at this time of loss.
Gone but never forgotten
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Got a call today telling me about Bruce passing. I am so sorry to hear and you have my sincere condolences.
I enjoyed my time working with Bruce at the Meaford Museum and all the projects he did. I enjoyed listening to his stories on the Great Lakes and history that man experienced over the years.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Sorry for your loss Susan, Brian and Scott. I learned a lot from your Dad about great lakes freighters. Great guy to talk to, may he fly with the angels and meet his wife at the pearly gates.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Bruce was a man of the sea. He was a man of the community. He was a friend of mine. We both enjoyed keeping the West Fort looking nice. Over the past forteen years he came to be a father I never had. When ever I hear the expression, ‘tough as nails,’ I will think of Bruce. Bye for now Captain, I sure will miss you.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
What a great man! Thank you Bruce for all you have done.
Noreen Fedoriuk
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Dear Susan, Scott, Brian and families – my thoughts are with you at the loss of your Father.
I have many great memories of Cille and Bruce as great neighbours and friends.
Rest in peace Captain Bruce
Thursday, October 26, 2023
So sorry to hear of the loss of a great man who spent so many hours for the benefit of the community. As a young lad I stood in awe looking at the model ships and artifacts in the yard. He will be missed dearly by us all
Thursday, October 26, 2023
My condolences to Bruce’s family. He was First mate on the EB Barber when my older brothers set sail in 1956 on that ship. He took good care of the teenagers that they were and helped them in their careers. We have lost a true gentle man. May he rest in peace. Terry Freeborn
Thursday, October 26, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family on the passing of a wonderful man. I still have the beautiful wooden hand painted Santa that Bruce made for my son when he was born. Please know that Santa will be passed to my son’s daughter due in January 2024. Bruce was an amazing, kind neighbour on Marshall Street. He will be greatly missed.
Friday, October 27, 2023
My thoughts to everyone. Bruce, Dad always always expressed his opinion on matters that always lead to lively conversations. I missed those when I moved to Collingwood and no longer saw him on the street or in the pharmacy. Always enjoyed seeing the displays on the yard. Many memories.
Friday, October 27, 2023
My deepest condolences to your family. My childhood memories include climbing on the various ship items in the front yard of my grandmother’s neighbor’s house across the street. Pretending to steer ships through the imaginary waterways of Meaford. In later years we have had the privilege to own a house across the street again from Bruce. Some neighbors are worth holding on to. He is missed.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Susan, Scott, Brian, and family; our sincere condolences to you all. Bruce always had stories and the displays in the yard were a tribute to a lot of them. He contributed to to his profession, and his community in so many ways. He will certainly be missed by many.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
I am truly sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences to you all. Bruce was one in a million who always had time for a cup of coffee along with a story. He was so instrumental in the Meaford Museum and will be truly missed. It is a sad day for Meaford.
Saturday, October 28, 2023
So sorry to hear about Bruce. When we met on the trail we always had a great conversation. He also made great chocolate chip cookies when I would visit Lucille many years ago. He will be missed.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
I am saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. I very much enjoyed sharing a cup
of coffee with him and listening to his stories…he was a wonderful story teller. Meaford has lost a true gem.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
I’m sorry but I didn’t know Bruce very well but my husband Doug did. He had must respect and adoration for Bruce. He enjoyed his friendship very much.
A highlite for Doug was when Bruce took him on a cruise on a freighter down the St Lawrence. They were treated like Royalty and Doug was thrilled with his experience and his time with Bruce.
My condolences to you all for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Nancy and I are saddened to hear of Bruce’s passing. We met Bruce and Scott many years ago in Meaford and we live on the upper St Mary’s river in the Soo so have a mutual love of the ships. It was always nice to visit with him on the phone over the years as he was a wealth of knowledge and we got along so well. Knowing that Bruce will be with his beloved wife and son and great grand daughter again gives us some comfort. May your fond memories of Bruce give all comfort now and always. Fair winds and following seas my old friend.
Monday, October 30, 2023
Uncle Bruce was quite the man. You could always find him tinkering with his miniature ships that he built or at the Museum. He will be greatly missed.
My condolences to Scott, Brian and Susan and their families
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I first met Bruce in 1994 when I joined the Shipmasters’ Association. Over the years, he and I have shared a lot of information and stories. He has been a wealth of marine knowledge for all of us in the association, and has donated several of his ship models to be used in fund-raisers. Bruce never missed one Shipmaster meeting or Mariners’ Service in the 30 years that I knew him. He was always happy to promote shipping and share his knowledge of the lakes. He participated in a project in which many lake captains were interviewed relating their experience on the Inland Seas. We will miss you Bruce. You have crossed the bar, and there will be no moaning. Your memory will stand strong with the Shipmasters’ Association. Yours Aye.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Our Deepest Sympathy and Condolences go out to Bruce’s Family and all who knew him. Heard he was an extravagant, true and real gentleman with extreme integrity. May he Rest In Peace. Jennifer and Wayne Shortt-Button
Monday, September 23, 2024
My deepest sympathy to Cpt Bruce’s family.All the seafarers hearts and minds are with you. I’m sure that the Captain is looking at us from his ship on the great lakes in the sky’s. Forever together. GOD BLESS YOU