Kyle David Shepard, 35, of Dover, NH, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Affectionately known as “Shep” to his friends, Kyle was a shining light to all who knew him. His journey on this earth, though far too short, was marked by love, compassion, curiosity, and an unwavering search for truth. His passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of those who loved him, and his family asks that he be remembered not for the way he left this world, but for the way he lived in it.
Raised in Boxford, MA, Kyle graduated from Stonehill College before signing with the Chicago Cubs, beginning a proud chapter in their minor league system. Beyond professional baseball, Kyle’s boundless compassion guided him to work as an ABA counselor, supporting those in need with empathy and patience. He later built a career as a professional photographer, capturing life’s most meaningful moments through a gifted eye that blended authentic human connection with the beauty of the natural world.
Kyle’s love for the ocean was equally profound. Drawn to its rhythm and challenge, he became a commercial fisherman, reeling in striped bass, bluefish, shark, baitfish—and, in his inaugural season, four jumbo tuna with the help of his dedicated first mates. One of his greatest joys was bringing friends and family out to share the sea’s beauty, especially around one of his favorite places, the Isles of Shoals.
Kyle is survived by his mother, Karla of Dover, NH; his father, David of Boxford, MA; his brothers, Brenden of Boxford, MA, and Colin of Los Angeles, CA; and his sisters, Jacqueline of Ipswich, MA, and Michelle of Boxford, MA.
The family will receive friends at Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 Main Street, Andover, MA, from 4 to 8pm on Wednesday, December 10. A Requiem funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 11, at 9:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 321 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA. Kyle will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, 944 Middle Road, Portsmouth, NH. Friends and family are invited to gather for a reception at The View at Pepperrell Cove, Kittery, ME.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to help establish a foundation in Kyle's honor to support mental health awareness. Please make checks payable to Karla Shepard, referencing account number: 3269082679, C/O TD Bank, 333 State Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801.