SHEPPARD, Mark Alan Sheppard

December 16, 1961 - August 21, 2025

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, Mark Sheppard of Brights Grove passed away peacefully at the age of 63, with his beloved wife Cathy by his side, following a diagnosis in June of an aggressive form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Mark will be deeply missed by his wife, with whom he shared a beautiful life with for 45 years. He was the loving father of son Devon (Robyn) of Kelowna, and daughter Jasmyne (Jack) Schauteet of Brights Grove. Mark’s memory will also live on through his cherished grandchildren: Hazel, daughter of Devon and her mother, Maiya Matharu and Cruz, son of Devon and Robyn. Predeceased by his brothers David (1969), Brian (1992), and his parents Thomas (2002) and Marie (2020). Mark was born and raised in Sarnia and attended Errol Road Elementary and Northern Collegiate Highschool. At age 17, he moved out west to Calgary where he met his beautiful wife, Cathy. After returning from Calgary together, he lovingly renovated his grandmother’s home, starting a family together, where he always held onto the dream of one day living by the lake. That dream came true when he built a beautiful home for his family to live in for over 20 years on Old Lakeshore Road. Mark embraced a “work hard, play hard” approach to life, always prioritizing family and the joy of creating lasting memories for all. In his professional life, Mark took great pride in his trade. Through AM Sheppard Drywall and Acoustics, he served the local community for over four decades, building a reputation grounded in quality, trust, and the referrals of satisfied customers. He reflected fondly on his 25 years at Bridgeview Marina, where he shared a deep appreciation for the boating lifestyle with fellow enthusiasts, finding joy both in time spent on the water and in attending classic boat shows with his beautifully restored wooden 1964 Chris Craft Challenger, “Devon’s Den.” His love for the mountains remained constant throughout his life as he passed down his passion for skiing to his family. Mark instilled confidence and trust in them, assuring that he would guide them safely through black diamond terrain and over challenging moguls. Spontaneous ski trips in pursuit of fresh powder, often braving fierce snowstorms, led to unforgettable adventures across countless ski resorts throughout Canada. Mark’s door was always open, a reflection of the generous spirit and sense of community he carried throughout his life. Family and friends will be received at Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Lakeview Cemetery. In honour of his love for Brights Grove, Mark asked that donations be made directly to the Brights Grove Optimist Club to support the community he held so close to his heart