Obituary of Stanley Shepard

Stanley Shepard passed away at home on September 18, 2023.

Born in Nancinaves, Czechoslovakia, to parents Michael and Maria (Pisko) Bacovcin, Stan enjoyed living in several towns in NJ including South Orange, the Jersey Shore, and his lake house in Pennsylvania, before settling in Far Hills 5 years ago. He was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough.

Stan attended and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with his BS in Health Science, and California State University with his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. He served as the CEO of Kessler East and President of the Southeast Division of Kessler Institute for 23 years.

Stan loved sports – playing, watching, coaching, he loved it all. He played football during his time at Newport High School in PA and made the All-East championship team. He coached his son’s soccer team when he was young and was very proud to take them to win the NJ State Championship. He cheered on his beloved Dallas Cowboys every chance he got, and attended every soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey game his grandchildren played. Above all else, he loved his family and his dogs, they brought him immense joy.

Stan is predeceased by his brother, Michael Bacovcin. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Shepard, son Jeffrey (Beth) Shepard, daughter Alison (Noel) Ciocon, sister Anna Broznak, grandchildren Lea and Emma Ciocon, and Morgan, Sydney, and Camryn Shepard, and his faithful canine companion Lakota.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 21, from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack NJ 07977. Stan will be laid to rest at Ocean County Memorial Park Mausoleum on Friday, September 22. In lieu of flowers, donations in Stan’s memory may be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Shelter in Madison, NJ, or Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, NJ.