George J. Schaefer
George J. Schaefer, 87, of Arden Courts in Seminole, Florida, where he had been a resident since 2016, died on April 1, 2018.
Born in Saranac Lake on April 7, 1930, he was the son of George B. and Mary (Fulford) Schaefer.
A lifelong resident of Saranac Lake, George was employed in the maintenance department by the New York State Armory in Saranac Lake for 35 years and was superintendent for the last 10 years. He retired in 1990.
George married Joan (Shene) Schaefer on Aug. 13, 1960 in Bloomingdale.
George is survived by his wife of 57 years; his two daughters: Linda Izzo (Dr. Angelo) of Fort Collins, Colorado and Patricia Schaefer (Paul Serpa) of Largo, Florida; four grandchildren: Erin, Danielle and Michael Tuthill and Antonio Izzo; two great-grandchildren: David and Leighland Martin; close family friends Kevin and Chaos Tuthill; brothers-in-law Michael (Laura) Shene of Englewood, Florida and Steven (Debbie) Shene of Palm Bay, Florida; sisters-in-law Virginia Whitelaw (Timothy) of Bloomingdale and Paula Shene of South Hampton;, and many nieces and nephews.
George was predeceased in death by his father George B. Schaefer in 1959 and his mother Mary (Fulford) Schaefer in 1960; his brothers-in-law Paul Jr. and Jerry Shene; his sister-in-law Ruth “Tootie” and Ronald Harrigan; and his niece Dana Conway of Bloomingdale.
George was a member of the Saranac Lake Fire Department and was in the New York National Guard for seven years. He enjoyed travelling, fishing, gardening, woodworking and bowling as a member of the Monday night league. George was also a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday May 13, at the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake with Pastor Joanne White officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake.
Family and friends wishing to remember George can make memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake, Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-Lakes Humane Society, or Saranac Lake Adult Center in care of the funeral home.
Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.