Kelley Norman Shepard

Kelley Norman Shepard, age 63, of Carthage, New York passed away at home on November

29, 2022 due to natural causes.

Born to Nancy and Robert Shepard in Syracuse, New York, Kelley was one of seven siblings.

He stood out for his feisty personality and quick wit. His childhood was filled with family ski trips,

hours spent shooting hoops in the yard, and near daily visits with his beloved grandmother

Dorothy. He spent his teen years working at his family’s hardware store and seeking out new

music, which became a lifelong passion.

Kelley spent 35 years working in video production and broadcasting and was proudly involved

with labor unions throughout his career. His retirement in 2021 allowed him more time to enjoy

his home on the Black River, where he loved tending to his well-manicured garden or sitting by

the river with a friend, a newspaper or a good book.

Kelley considered fatherhood to be his greatest accomplishment in life. He always had time for

his kids, whether that meant taking them to a Syracuse game at the Dome, working in the

garden, or doing art projects at home. He delighted in his children's creativity and nurtured their

curiosities with patience and sincere interest. In recent years, his joy was only magnified with

the arrival of his first grandchild, Jack Kelley Martin.

Over the years Kelley lived in Vermont, Philadelphia, Syracuse, the D.C. area, and the North

Country, where he collected many friends. Those who knew him reveled in his eclectic tastes

and wicked sense of humor. He was generous with his time and fiercely loyal. His one-of-a-kind

personality earned him a long list of affectionate nicknames: Kell, Shep, the Golden Boy,

Stormin' Norman, but most of all… he was ShepDog. Kelley was a true original in a world of

copies, a bright orange spot of color in a world of gray. He will be missed terribly by those who

loved him.

Kelley is survived by his daughters Kathryn (Robert) Martin and Emily (Daniel) Discenza; son

Kelley Shepard; grandson Jack Martin; brothers Robert Shepard, Brad Shepard, and Michael

Shepard; sister Amy Sullivan; and many loving cousins. He is preceded in death by his brother

James Shepard, his sister Cynthia Shepard, and his parents.

A celebration of life will take place at Garland City Beer Works, 321 Howk St. in Watertown, on

Sunday, December 18th from 3-6pm. Guests are encouraged to wear orange.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the NYS Department of Environmental

Conservation, Natural Heritage Trust at www.naturalheritagetrust.org/dec-western-adk

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cleveland Funeral Home, Inc., Watertown.

Online condolences may be shared at www.clevelandfhinc.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.