Obituary of Andrew "Drew'" Vincent Sheppard
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Andrew (Drew) Vincent Sheppard, who left this world on August 30, 2024, at his home in Asbury Park, New Jersey, at the age of 32. Born on August 14, 1992, to Adrianne and Paul Sheppard on Staten Island, New York, Drew’s life was a journey of resilience, creativity, and unyielding love for those around him.
Drew lived on Staten Island until the age of two, when his family moved to Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. It was there that Drew was raised and nurtured. He made Asbury Park his home in 2016, a place that deeply resonated with his creative spirit
During middle school Drew’s focus was on athletics. One of his passions was football (soccer) which culminated with an invitation to join the NY Red Bull Academy, a prestigious honor that he held close.
And then Drew found music. He started to take guitar lessons and formed a band. This flourished into Drew, in collaboration with a group of friends finding a way to showcase many local garage bands from the area regularly. They called it The Monthly Pit.
A graduate of Governor Livingston High School, Drew went on to further his education at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Sound Recording and Engineering. His passion for music and sound was not just a career but a calling. His talent and dedication led him to be credited as a sound engineer on two critically acclaimed albums, including the influential Living Colour: Shade (2017) and Marc Cary: Rhodes Ahead vol2 (2015) .Drew’s work in the music industry was a reflection of his commitment to excellence and his deep love for the art of sound.
Drew's journey, however, was not without its challenges. At the age of 16, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Drew’s wish to meet his favorite band, The Bouncing Souls, at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park was granted. This experience not only fulfilled a dream but also forged a lasting bond with the band, a testament to Drew’s ability to connect with people in meaningful and enduring ways.
He had a deep love for animals. Drew was a devoted pet owner, rescuing two dogs from shelters and giving them a loving home.
Beyond his accomplishments, Drew will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, generosity, and the profound impact he had on everyone he met. He was a loyal friend, always willing to lend a helping hand, share a laugh, or offer a shoulder to lean on. His friends and family knew him as a man of integrity and warmth.
Drew leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished memories, and an indelible mark on all who were fortunate enough to know him. He is survived by his loving parents, Adrianne and Paul Sheppard; his sister, Allison Sheppard and her daughter Sydney; his sister Michelle and her husband Erich Gunderman and their children Grant, Mackenzie and Riley; his aunt Denise and her husband Al Tessitore; his uncle John Sheppard; and his godmother Corinn Tonelli. Drew’s absence will be deeply felt, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10 AM at Wilson Memorial Church, 7 Valley Rd., Watchung, NJ 07069. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Drew’s memory to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Brick City Rescue, organizations that reflect his passions and the kindness he shared with the world.
Rest in peace, Drew. You will be forever missed and never forgotten.
