George Schaffer was born Feb. 17, 1921, at home in Greenport, L.I., N.Y., son of Michael Schaffer and Mary (Babcock).
He passed away March 28, 2007, in Edmonds, Wash. surrounded by family and in the hearts of his neighbors at home where he lived peacefully and happily for 35 years.
George served a combined career of 26 years in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant U.S.A.F. in 1967. Civilian stints in between military services generally were as a police officer, including the Quoque, L.I. City Police, Federal Reserve Bank Police, Seattle and Federal Security Police, Marshall Islands.
Always restless when he was young, he thoroughly enjoyed his varied military and police career and was proud to have served. Georges career took him all over the world by land, air and sea. His most significant memories were of his World War II naval service. Enlisting in 1939, he hunted German submarines by ship (U.S.S. Gannett) and PBY Catalinas in the Caribbean, North Atlantic and along the eastern U.S. Seaboard even before war was declared. After war was declared, he patrolled from Labrador and Newfoundland across Northern Canada in PBYs (sometimes landing on isolated small lakes and met by indigenous natives in canoes). The war took him to the Pacific Theater serving with Air Group 81 on the U.S.S. Wasp and U.S.S. Hornet. As a Chief Aviation Ordinanceman (at 23 years old) he served in campaigns from Asia to the Aleutians. Postwar and cold war stations included France, Germany and Korea.
His Coast Guard service took him mostly on patrol between Seattle and Alaska. He served as Chief Gunners Mate on the U.S.C.G. Cutter Koiner. Cruises were also made to Japan via Hawaii, Guam, Midway and many Pacific territories and protectorates.
George was a military policeman in the Air Force, also serving in civilian clothes as a military investigator. He particularly enjoyed working with the French police in the post-war era.
Dad met Mom at the U.S.O. in Winnipeg, Canada in 1943 during a fueling stop at the Canadian Air Force Base. Through thick and thin they stuck it out through a 63 year marriage and were rewarded with many golden, shared memories. Virtually speechless for his last four days, except for calling once for his mother, once for his sister Kitty the last word he spoke was Doris.
A gentle and kind man in his later years (most of the time) he will be missed by many loved ones in the U.S. and Canada. He was comforted by the visits of his grandchildren in his final days. Each of his children were also with him.
Survived by his one and only romantic love of 63 years, his wife, Doris; sons, Craig, of Camano Island, Wash., Charles, Lt. Col. U.S.M.C. Ret., of Encinitas, Jeff (Roni), of Arlington, Wash., Brent (Sarah) Lt. Col. U.S.M.C. Ret; daughter, Susan (Duane) Mandery, of Edmonds, Wash.; lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and an old feral cat that has come to the door for several years for food from his hand.
Dad worked for wages since he was 7-years-old, after his father, the Quoque Police Chief, passed away suddenly. His 3-year-old sister, June, also died unexpectedly in the afternoon of the same day (spinal meningitis). This was the beginning of a tough childhood. Throughout the great depression, he worked among the Hampton estates as a stable boy, caddy, lawn boy, doing errands and deliveries. He was always grateful to the many old money families that helped him and his family.
Now he runs free on those old, unspoiled Long Island meadows and beaches of the 1920s and 30s with his parents, sisters, brothers and friends once again.
Very spiritual, he died knowing we will all be together again. Cancer defeated his body but not his soul.
George was a Free and Accepted Mason, Horace Tyler Chapter of Washington.
No services, no flowers, no donations, thank you. If you would take some extra time today to be kind to someone who loves you, that would be a good memorial to George.
He will be cremated at Evergreen Washelli, remains scattered at sea.
Heartfelt thanks to all the medical, health care and hospice workers. You are truly the best among us. And to all the caregivers, many recent immigrants, thank you for your non-stop demonstrated love and compassion. We could not have gotten through it whole without you.