Richard F. Schaffner

Port Leyden- Richard F. Schaffner, 81, formerly of West Main St., passed away after a long illness on Easter Sunday March 31, 2013, at Lewis Co. Residential Care Facility, Lowville. He was born in West Carthage, on September 23, 1931, a son of George and Madeline Kapfer Schaffner. As a youth he moved to Port Leyden, where he completed his education, graduating from Port Leyden Central School, with the Class of 1950. He was an outstanding Baseball player for the Port Leyden Central School and Port Leyden Town Baseball Teams, during which time he was scouted as a pitcher by the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball Team. From May 1952, until April 1954, Mr. Schaffner served his country in the US Army, stationed in Japan, during the Korean Conflict. While serving in Japan, Richard played baseball for the US Army Team. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Private First Class. Upon returning to Port Leyden, he was employed for Beck Mangan of Port Leyden, in the installation of TV antennas. Later he lived in Rochester, where he was employed by Rochester Products Co. in the manufacturing of carburetors for General Motors Corp. His last employment was as a laborer in building construction for Local Laborers Union of Utica, NY. In his later years Richard remained an avid baseball fan, closely following his favorite team, the New York Yankees. He was also an avid New York Giants Fan as well as a New York Knickerbockers Basket Ball Fan. Richard is survived by a brother, Gerald Schaffner, Port Leyden; and his nieces and nephews, Robin and Russell Roberts, Boonville, Gary Schaffner, Port Leyden, Graig and Kelly Schaffner, Boonville, Renita Schaffner and Eric Sampson, Constableville, Romona and Jamie Dosztan, Port Leyden and nine great nieces and great nephews. His family wishes to express their sincere heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire staff of the 2ond floor of the Lewis Co. Residential Health Care Facility for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Richard while residing there since 2000. Visitation and services were held on Monday, April 1, at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Interment with full military honors will be later this spring at a time to be announced in Port Leyden Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Leyden Fire and Ambulance Fund.