SPRINGFIELD – Richard F. Shepardson, Jr., 71, passed away on March 16, 2019 at his home. Born in Springfield on December 14, 1947 to the late Richard F. and Jean W. (Martenson) Shepardson, he graduated from Springfield Trade High School. He entered the Army service in 1968 and proudly served during the Vietnam War. During his service he was awarded with two Silver Stars and a Purple Heart. He worked with the Springfield police as an auxiliary police officer. He enjoyed woodworking, mechanics on cars and motorcycles and within the last few years, fishing. He was also an avid New England Patriots fan. His favorite hobby was telling DDJ’s. To cherish his memory he leaves former wife, Donna (Blake) Shepardson of Springfield; children Paul Shepardson and his wife Cynthia of Palmer, Matt Shepardson and his wife Megan of Warrenton, NC, Victoria Hennessy of Wilbraham, Liz Theisen and her husband James of Apex, NC, and Richard Shepardson and his wife Amy of Feeding Hills; grandchildren Paul, Jr., Kaitlyn and Kailey Shepardson, Carina and Lindsey Hennessy, Ryan Theisen and Christina, Vanessa, Richie, Mia and Miles Shepardson as well as his sisters Sally Appleton and her husband Don of Westfield and Judy Crawford and her husband David of Loris, SC. Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, March 24, 2019 from 4 - 7 PM at Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main Street, Agawam, MA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 12:30 PM at the funeral home followed by committal services with military honors at 2 PM at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. In lieu of flowers, Rick would like donations to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate). To leave a personal message of condolence or for more information, please visit www.forastiere.com