John W. Schafer

JOHN W. SCHAFER, age 83, of Bel Air, died at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center on January 1, 2004. Born in Bel Air, Maryland, he was the son of the late Peter Joseph and Mary Ellizabeth Wiker Schafer. He worked as an automobile mechanic with his father at the family owned garage. For several years he was a new car manager at Plaza Ford. Baseball was his real love, he was a former president of the Babe Ruth League of Baseball teams and played in the Susquehanna League for several teams, winning the batting championship in 1949 at the age of 39 with an average of 460. John later helped organize the Harford Cecil Oldtimers Association which honored him in 1981 for his outstanding work.
Mr. Schafer joined the Army the day after Pearl Harbor was bombed and served his country honorably. As a veteran, he returned to Harford County and became active in the American Legion Post 39 where he was a lifetime member.

Mr. Schafer's political life led him to become a member of the Harford County Board of Election Supervisors where he was also elected president of the Maryland Association of Election Officials. In 1974, he was elected to the Harford County Council and served for an unprecedented 16 years. He was instrumental in spearheading the county's purchase of Liriodendron. In 1990 he was officially declared a Harford Living Treasure. He was a member of Bel Air United Methodist Church. He enjoyed gardening and had a self service produce stand at his home.

Mr. Schafer is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia A. Atkins Schafer; one son, Richard D. Schafer of Havre de Grace, one brother, Harold W. “Bunky” Schafer of Abingdon; and one grandson, Gary Ray Schafer, II. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one son, Gary Ray Schafer.

Pallbearers were former American Legion Commanders: James Monaham, Dick Gephart, Bob Smith, Bill Benadetto, Charlie Brazezicki, and Tom Raber. Honorary pallbearers were: John Hardwicke, Ralph Klein, Charles Walls, Mike Bailey, Lee Hinderhofer, and William Cox, Jr.

Those who desire may contribute to American Legion Baseball, c/o Harford Post 39, 500 Conowingo Road, Bel Air, MD 21014.