Rev. Dr. Harold Franklin Shaffer

Hampton, VA - The Rev. Dr. Harold F. Shaffer, 85, of Orleans, MA, formerly of Sparta, NJ, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Joan Shaffer, in June of 2010.

Born in Washington, DC on Aug. 14, 1926, he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1944 and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for two years, participating in the invasion of Okinawa as an anesthetist and surgical assistant in a front line hospital. In June, 1946 he was honorably discharged and attended the U. of MD, Catholic Univ., graduating from the University of the South, Sewanee, TN in 1950.

He then went on to complete graduate studies at General Theological Seminary, NY, NY with a M.Div. degree and was ordained to the ministry in June, 1954 in Washington Cathedral. Having already served as an assistant at St. Mary's Church in Sparta, NJ, he was appointed Vicar in 1954. In 1965, he founded St. Gabriel's Church, Milton, NJ. He became the first Rector of St. Mary's in 1978 and served there through June of 1979. He completed his D.Min. degree at Drew Univ. in May, 1980.

Dr. Shaffer was a co-founder of the Hilltop Montessori School in Sparta, NJ and served as chairman and on the board of trustees from 1967-75. He was also a trustee of the Knoll Heights Village Senior Citizen Complex in Sparta from 1977-1979. Moving to Chatham, MA in 1979, he went into private practice as a clinical counselor and psychotherapist through 1988.

His passions included playing classical and jazz clarinet, restoring antique furniture, cultivating rhododendrons and breeding Great Pyrenees dogs.

He is survived by four children, S. Gregory Shaffer of Kenvil, NJ, Mary-Ellen Gmoch of Chesapeake, VA, Douglas M. Shaffer of Tenants Harbor, ME and Thomas B. Shaffer of Chatham, MA; six grandchildren, Courtney A. Shaffer, Robert G. Shaffer, Garrett T. Gmoch, Kevin F. Gmoch, Ashley R. Shaffer, Ella M. Shaffer; and his daughter-in-law, Randilyn J. Shaffer.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, Jan. 16, at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Rd., Chatham, MA from 5-7 P.M. There will be a celebration of his life and requiem eucharist at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Chatham, MA, Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 11:00 A.M. A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Church, Sparta, NJ on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Christopher's Church, 625 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633. For online condolences, and directions please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com