Dr. Fred David Sheftell

After a long career as an esteemed and respected psychiatrist, Dr. Fred D. Sheftell, a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle, died Monday morning surrounded by loved ones after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, January 4, 1941, Dr. Sheftell graduated from New York University and received his medical degree from New York Medical College.

From 1970 to 1972, Dr. Sheftell was in the United States Army, where he started drug abuse programs for soldiers returning from combat tours in Vietnam. He was decorated for his work.

Dr. Sheftell has been a Stamford resident since 1972, when he came to Connecticut as Founder and Director of Drug Liberation Programs, one of the nation’s first substance abuse treatment centers.

Along with Dr. Alan Rapoport, Dr. Sheftell started the New England Center for Headache in 1981. He was Founder and President of ACHE (The American Council of Headache Education), whose purpose was to educate Doctors and patients about headaches. He was also President of AHS (The American Headache Society) where he sat on the Board of Directors for over 20 years. Dr. Sheftell was one of the leading pain and headache specialists in the world. His clinical patient care, research, and innovation in the field led to breakthroughs in treatment and healing.

On a personal note, Dr. Sheftell was an accomplished musician, playing guitar, banjo, piano and harmonica. He was loved, respected, and cherished by his family. His wife Karen, his son Jason, and daughter Lauren, will miss him dearly and will always keep him in their hearts.

He is also survived by mother Wilma, brother Steven and sister-in-law Vincenza, along with their children Justin and Melanie; his two brother-in-laws and their wives, Edward and Linda Rosenthal, David and Jane Rosenthal, and their children, Ken, Julie, Daniel and Rebecca.

For his music, love and laughter, Dr. Fred Sheftell, will be a part of us always. People everywhere will remember the songs he has written, the lives he has touched, and the good he has spread. When we think of him, we will always smile and hear his melodies.

Services will be held at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT., on Thursday, April 14, at 12 noon.

Donations in Dr. Sheftell’s name can be made to the American Migraine Foundation (www.americanmigrainefoundation.org), or c/o American Migraine Foundation, 19 Mantua Road, Mount Royal, New Jersey, 08061. To leave on line condolences, please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com