Rev. Raymond “Ray” D. Shepherd, 95, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Mount St. Rita’s Health Centre. Born in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Margaret (Doig) Shepherd and David O. Shepherd. He was the devoted husband for 74 years to Edna (Yeo) Shepherd.
Ray and Edna were longtime residents of Cumberland, RI. They lived in West Medway, MA for many years and also lived in Milford, MA.
Ray grew up in Quincy, MA. He graduated from Quincy High School and attended New England Aviation Academy in Boston. He had training in repairing large appliances and refrigeration. He completed theological studies from the Berean School of the Bible.
Rev. Shepherd devoted his life serving the Lord and shared that with everyone. He was a very kind and giving man always taking an interest in the people he met. As a young man, he helped his father-in-law, Rev. George E. Yeo in his church along with serving in many churches until he became a pastor of South Franklin Union Church, Washington Street, Franklin, MA. He was also the founding pastor of Bethany Assembly of God Church, Milford, MA which is now called Bethany Community Church located in Mendon, MA. He then became the associate pastor at the First Assembly of God Church in Woonsocket, RI. In retirement, he was a pastoral assistant at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, RI.
Rev. Shepherd was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God serving in many capacities in the Southern New England Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. He was the Network Director of Stewardship for many years conducting financial planning seminars at many churches across the Southern New England Network. He also served for many years on the Network presbytery board and served on the Network Home Missions Committee.
Ray had many secular jobs during his lifetime. He worked for the Sunbeam Corp. as a service technician. He was the manager for Electric Motor Service Co. on State Street in Boston. He also worked for many years at the Jet Spray International Corp. in Norwood, MA where he became vice-president of customer service retiring in 1994. He was able to travel the world for Jet Spray, visiting 44 different countries. This gave him opportunities to preach and spread the gospel in many of these countries. He made lifetime friends throughout the world.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Edna Shepherd; six children, Faith Guiney of Franklin, MA, Edmund (Diana) Shepherd of Mesa, AZ, Deborah (David) Galdun of Millville, DE, Raymond (Carol) Shepherd of Sutton, MA, Stephen (Tina) Shepherd of Chandler, AZ and David Shepherd of Cumberland, RI; grandchildren, Carl (Jessica) Guiney, Jr., Christy (Cyrus) Ferri, Amy (Randy) Richardson, Heather (Jeff) Pubols, Aaron Brancatelli, Scott (Kimberly) Shepherd, Kelly (Jason) Delgado, Ryan (Jenny) Shepherd, Ashley Guiney, Netanya Shepherd, Michael Shepherd and Daniel Shepherd; great-grandchildren, Grace Guiney, Aaron Guiney, Benjamin Guiney, Cooper Shepherd, Matthew Ferri, Mark Ferri, Michael Ferri, Jonathan Ferri, Daniela Gonzales, Jenna Brancatelli, Christina Brancatelli, Gavin Delgado, Arianna Delgado, Abram Shepherd, Brynn Shepherd, Cash Shepherd, Delaney Shepherd and, Zoey Shepherd. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his son-in-law, Rev. Carl Guiney, Sr. and his siblings, A. William Shepherd, Cora Gruner, Wilbur Shepherd, Jessimine Croutworst and David Shepherd.
Ray lived a long full life. He was an amazing man who loved the Lord, loved his wife and loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all his family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at the First Assembly of God Church, 420 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 12:00 noon. There will be a private burial service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rev. Shepherd’s memory to First Assembly of God Church, 420 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI 02895.
Arrangements are under the care of the Ginley-Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber St., Medway, MA (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).