Obituary of Richard N. Shafer

Richard N. Shafer, age 77, of Gloversville, passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020 at Hudson Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Nursing Center, Albany, after a courageous battle with diabetes.

He was born November 6, 1943 in Gloversville, the son of the late Alberta Runkle Shafer and Howard C. Shafer. His father died in a plane crash in Oregon in 1951. Dick attended Gloversville schools until 1958 when his mother remarried to Jaro Malec and moved to Edinburg. Dick then attended Northville Central School graduating in 1961. After graduation Dick enlisted in the US Navy and attained the rank of E-5. He took part under President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the destroyer the USS Hazelwood DD531. He also took part in the search for the submarine, the USS Thresher in the Atlantic. After his military service he worked at GE for one year. He left GE to join the Gloversville Police Dept. where he served five years. He left the Gloversville P.D. to join the New York State Police in 1970. He retired from the NYSP in January 1981 on disability due to injuries incurred in an automobile accident. After his retirement he worked for Pinkerton's as a Sergeant. He left Pinkerton's to work at Coleco as a security investigator. When Coleco closed he spent one year in nursing school at BOCES. He left nursing to accept a position in corrections at the Fulton County Sheriff's Dept. for 16 years. He served Fulton County until his retirement in 2005 with the rank of Sergeant.

He was a member of the  VFW, American Legion, NRA, NYSR & P Assoc; Pine Tree Rifle Club, Concordia Club and past member of Moose and Eagles clubs. He was also a member of AARP, AMAC,  Fraternal Order of Police, Police Benevelent Assoc. and Retired Members of NYS Police.

Dick is survived by his wife, Helen Herrick Cole Shafer, whom he married June 19, 1982; his daughter, Sandra Lee King and her husband Christopher; stepsons, Raymond E. Cole Jr. and Jack E. Cole; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Williams and Marjorie Walters.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 am Friday, July 16 at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a Memorial Service will follow at 11 am. 

Interment with Military Honors will follow at Edinburg Cemetery, Edinburg.

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com