James E. Shafer

SHAFER, James E. James Edwin Shafer, 89, of East Haddam and Cheshire, joined his beloved wife, Phyllis, in eternal rest on July 21, 2009. He was born in Windsor, the son of Elsie Smithcors Shafer and James E. Shafer. After graduating from Windsor High School, Jim trained and became a toolmaker at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Later he was a sales representative for several companies. After retiring from Oakite Products, he fulfilled a life-long dream to be his own boss and opened Shafer Woodcraft and Antiques, where he refinished furniture and sold antiques. Jim and Phyllis were married for 67 years and loved to travel, taking numerous car trips and cruises. In later years they took up camping and traveled cross-country in their camper. After he retired, Jim and his sons-in-law built a cottage on the Moodus Reservoir. He bought a sailboat and spent many happy hours sailing on the lake. Their love of waterfront living led them to spend their winters next to the ocean in Myrtle Beach for 20 years. Jim leaves two daughters and their husbands: Judith and Kenneth Boynton of Cheshire and Barbara and Charles Boynton of Moodus. He also leaves five grandchildren and their families: Christopher and Marianne Boynton of Franklin, MA and their children Jake, Luke and Elizabeth; Jared Boynton and his wife, Lynn Liska and their son, Donovan; Susan and Jorge Marimon and their children, Ricardo, and Lauren; Jeffrey and Sherry Boynton and their son, Nicholas; and Amy and Peter Zaferacopoulis and their sons, Alex, Adam and Peter John. The family wishes to thank the angels at Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation for their many years of loving care for Jim. A graveside memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24, at the First Church of Christ Congregational Cemetery on Town Street in East Haddam. Contributions in his memory may be made to the First Church of Christ Congregational P.O. Box 445 East Haddam, CT 06423-0445. The Swan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.