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Gerald R. Schafer

January 23, 1918 - April 23, 2013

Sauquoit

Gerald R. Schafer, 95, of Sauquoit passed away unexpectedly April 23, 2013 at his home.
He was born on January 23, 1918 in Whitesboro, NY to the late Arthur and Anna Gaffey Schafer.

Jerry attended the Point School in New Hartford and at the age of six moved with his family to
Sauquoit where he completed his education.

Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and was a veteran of World War II.
He participated in island campaigns at Guadalcanal, Bouganville, Munda, Saipan and the invasion and occupation of Guam.
He was proud of his service to his country and received an honorable discharge on November 7, 1945.

On June 28, 1946 Jerry married Rose Doyle, a loving union of 49 years until her death on June 25, 1995.
Jerry was employed as a rural mail carrier in Sauquoit for 25 years and
for the past 65 years operated Schafers Lawn Mower Shop in Sauquoit,
first with his son Pat and later with his grandson Stephen and partner Ken Neff.

Jerry was a self-made man who was well respected as a businessman.
He was a man of great integrity and fairness.
Jerry was currently serving as a Fire Commissioner and was a 65 year member of the Sauquoit Volunteer Fire Department
as well as a 65 year member of E.L. Clonan Post 1000 and its Last Mans Club.
Jerry was still active in the fire department selling tickets to their ham dinner which was held in March.
He also served for a number of years on the town of Paris Planning Board.

Jerry was proud of his gardening skills and had a friendly competition between his garden and his niece Barbaras garden.
He was at one time active in bowling leagues at Orchard Hall and Aurora Lanes.
Jerry loved the game of golf and held a membership at Sauquoit Knolls Golf Club
where he participated in the Tuesday morning league and the Friday night league with his son Tom as partner.

Our favorite memories of him will be sitting around the kitchen table or on the front porch
while Jerry told stories of his family and his life.

Jerry had a wonderful sense of humor and always made one feel welcome whether in the shop or his home.
We will miss his smile and twinkle in his eye.

He is survived by his sons,
Thomas Schafer and wife Susan of Whitesboro,
James Schafer and Kathy Pallay of Rome,
and daughter-in-law Eileen of Sauquoit,

his grandchildren,
Thomas Schafer Jr, Molly Schafer, Kimberly and Adam Blecker,
Robert and Jill Schafer, James D. Schafer, Daniel Schafer, Brittany Schafer and Stephen Schafer,

and two great grandchildren,
Aiden Blecker and Carson Schafer.

He also leaves his sister Marilyn Wilder of Morris, Illinois and
a sister in law, Joyce Schafer of Macon, Georgia.

Jerry leaves several nieces and nephews with special mention of his niece, Barbara LaBarge.

He was predeceased by
his son Patrick,
his brothers Russell and Lawrence Schafer
and his sister, Lucille Kohler.

Funeral services will be Saturday morning at 8:45 form the Smith Funeral Home, 3022 Oneida St. Sauquoit
and 9:30 at St. Patricks-St. Anthonys Catholic Church in Chadwicks

.Interment will be at St. Marys Cemetery, Clayville. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-7.

In Jerrys memory, please consider donations to
either the Sauquoit Volunteer Fire Department or the American Heart Association .

Published in The Observer-Dispatch from Apr. 25 to Apr. 26, 2013