Family and Friends of Late Shelby Fire Chief Shepherd to Walk in Relay for Life

Friends and family of the late Gene Shepherd has organized a team for the Shelby Township Relay for Life in memory of the past Shelby Township Fire Chief .

It has been nearly one year since Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd lost his battle with a rare form of cancer, and on Saturday, nearly 200 of his friends and family will take steps in his honor at the Shelby Township Relay for Life. Robin LaLonde, Shepherd's daughter, contacted Patch to share that Team Shepherd will be one of many teams taking part in the annual event at River Bends Park in Shelby Township. "This event is happening almost a year to date that we lost my dad to this horrible disease, and I think everyone today is affected in some way by cancer as well," LaLonde wrote in an email. "My dad was always so proud when he was in the Patch for another cause or project he was involved in and I just feel that it is fitting to …

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Shelby Township Appoints Interim Fire Chief

More than a week after Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd died, Chief of Training Lt. James Swinkowski was appointed the Interim Fire Chief.

Shelby Township has appointed Fire Chief of Training Lt. James Swinkowski as the interim chief of the department. Swinkowski was appointed to fill the vacancy of Fire Chief Gene Shepherd, who died May 14. “I have that feeling in the pit of my stomach as to why I am coming here,” said Swinkowski.  “The department is strong and the job will continue as Gene laid out for us. The troubling aspect is I am replacing a friend. That’s what the daunting task is -- doing the job he started.” Swinkowski’s appointment went into effect Thursday, just moments after the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission approved Supervisor Rick Stathakis’ request to appoint the 21-year Shelby Township fire veteran. For the next 90 days, Swinkowski will continue …

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Matt Guarnieri

11:07 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012

Mr. Delise, I trust Mr. Stathakis's judgement more than I would your own or even my own. The decisions he has made on his own, where the board does not vote because immediate action is needed, have been great. Remember, it's a 7 member board, not a one man show. I see only one trustee that acts corrupt and self-serving.   more ›

VIDEO: Mourners Say Their Final Farewell to Beloved Shelby Fire Chief Gene Shepherd

Fire Chief Gene Shepherd was laid to rest Monday.

Mourners said their final goodbyes to Shelby Township's Fire Chief Gene Shepherd on Monday during his funeral at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville. Firefighters and police officers from several nearby communities joined Shelby Township officials and Shepherd's family and friends to honor him.  Immediately following the service, a mile-long funeral procession, which ran through Shelby Township and had traffic blocked on 23 Mile Road, led Shepherd's friends and family to his final resting place at Christian Memorial Cemetery in Rochester Hills. Shepherd died May 14 after battling a rare form of cancer for more than two years. He left behind his wife Leann and two daughters Robin and Amy, and six grandchildren.  After working as a …

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Daryl Patrishkoff

9:22 pm on Monday, May 21, 2012

Many years ago when I was in high school Gene Shepherd was a friend of mine through Redeemer Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan. As the years went by we lost that connection and I have not had any contact with him. He was a great guy back when we were both young and someone you could count on. I believe as he matured he maintained those characteristics as demonstrated in his family and community …   more ›

Visitation For Shelby Fire Chief's Funeral Begins

Information on funeral services for Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd, who died Monday at the age of 56.

Funeral Information For Shelby Fire Chief Gene Shepherd

Information on funeral services for Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd, who died Monday at the age of 56.

Funeral Information for Gene Shepherd

Information on the funeral services for Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd.

Information on funeral services for Shelby Township Fire Chief Gene Shepherd, who died Monday at the age of 56. The funeral will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church located at 17017 12 Mile Road in Roseville May 21.

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Former Soccer City Park to Be Renamed in Honor of Fire Chief Gene Shepherd

The Board of Trustees has agreed to rename the former Soccer City Park in honor of Fire Chief Gene Shepherd.

An applause rang out in the Shelby Township boardroom Tuesday evening after Trustees unamiously passed a motion to rename 23 Mile Park on Dequidre Road in honor of current Fire Chief Gene Shepherd. "I would move to name former Soccer City Park Chief Gene Shepherd Park in recognition and gratitude for his service to Shelby Township,'" said Trustee Michael Flynn, after he introduced the motion. Flynn, who serves as a liason for the Parks and Recreation Deparatment, said the Township has applied for three state grants, one of which would provide funding for three new soccer fields, general maintenance and rehabiliation to the park. During the application process, the park has been generically named 23 Mile Park, said Flynn. Recently, …

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Marina Cracchiolo

10:29 am on Monday, May 7, 2012

Thanks for weighing in, Chief. In the short period of time that we've worked together, I too can see what the community sees in your personal attributes and leadership qualities. Congrats!   more ›