Gene Earl Schafer, age 65, passed away peacefully at Tidewell Hospice House, Bradenton, Florida on Monday, March 6, 2017. He was born March 31, 1951 in Batavia, NY, son of the late June (Wright) and John Schafer of Indian Falls also preceded in death by a brother, Carl Schafer and brother-in-law, Jerry Deusenbery.
He graduated from Pembroke High School in 1969 and married his wife Rita (Deusenbery) Schafer in 1971. His passion in life was truck driving, crossing the country numerous times and visiting almost all of the continental states. He also sold fuel and energy products for Griffith Oil, Burnwell Oil, and NOCO in Western New York.
He belonged to the Indian Falls Volunteer Fire Department and was an avid NASCAR fan. His favorite driver was retired, #45, Kyle Petty. For the last four winters, he and his wife enjoyed spending time in Bradenton, FL at Westwinds Village. He loved doing puzzles and kept up with the news.
In addition to his wife, Rita, he is survived by his two children, Colleen Schafer (Kevin Sommer) of Alden and Wendy Schafer- Colvin (Bradford Colvin) of Broadlands, VA, two grandchildren Emilia and Erik Colvin; brothers; Paul (Carol) Schafer and Lynn (Patti) Schafer; sisters-in law, Donna Schafer, Carol Robinson, Geraldine Deusenbery, Jacqueline (Deusenbery) Thompson, and Cindy (Deusenbery) Wilkinson; brother-in-law, Anthony Deusenbery along with many nieces and nephews.
The family will be present on Friday, March 10, 2017 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at the Michael Tomaszewski Funeral & Cremation Chapel, LLC, 4120 West Main Street, Batavia, NY where a celebration of life service will take place 11 am Saturday, March 11, 2017, he will be laid to rest in Evergreen Hill Cemetery Corfu, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gene’s name may be made to the NASCAR-themed camp in honor of Adam Petty- Victory Junction, 4500 Adam’s Way Randleman, NC 27317 (victoryjunction.org) or Mary Parkes Center Pulmonary Care, 400 Red Creek Dr Ste 110, Rochester, NY 14623 (www.urmc.rochester.edu/mary-parkes.aspx).
Please share your thoughts and memories of Gene with his family at www.tomaszewskifh.com
THE FAMILY OF GENE E. SCHAFER IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020
