Douglas W. Shaffer Jr.

BOONVILLE- It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Douglas W. Shaffer Jr., 54, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born on March 17, 1971 in Rome, a son of Douglas Shaffer Sr. and Florence Iselo Muha. Doug grew up in the Boonville area. He helped on the family farm and in his father's pizza truck at many local area events while in high school, developing a strong work ethic along the way. After graduating from Adirondack High School with the class of 1989, Doug went to work at Young's Carquest Auto Parts for a short time before working in the parts department at Davidson's car dealership in Boonville. On August 5, 2000, he married his high school sweetheart, Brenda Laux, at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Boonville, with Father Richard Lewis officiating and Rev. Dr. Eugene Bowers assisting. Together, the couple built the home of their dreams themselves, on Muha Road. Doug worked for Gaetano Construction for a time before finding his true calling working at D & D Powersports. He worked at D & D for 20 years until they closed in 2025. For a period of time, Doug was a Pro-Am ATV racer, competing in races all over the United States. Recently, he had just begun working for The Wesson Group construction company out of Johnstown. Doug enjoyed wake surfing, snowmobiling, racing four wheelers, boating at the lake, and tinkering around the house and garage. He was mechanically inclined and together with his son Dalton, they fixed up his first car, making several memorable trips to Vince's U-Pull It to get parts. Doug loved attending his son and daughter's sporting events throughout the years and was incredibly proud of them. He expressed that his greatest achievement was raising his children with his wife Brenda. Doug loved hard, lived hard, and enjoyed life to the fullest. Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Brenda; two children, Dalton and Mackenzie Shaffer; his father, Douglas Shaffer Sr. of Holland Patent; his step-father, David Muha of Tennessee; five siblings, Andrea (Mike) Battles of Boonville, Mike (Sonya) Muha of Whitesboro, Cheryl Youngs of Boonville, Joe Shaffer, of Florida, and Krystle (Joe) Bronco of Florida; his mother-in-law, Florence Laux of Forestport; two sisters-in-law, Karen Laux of Boonville and Cheryl Laux of Charlton, New York; an aunt, Priscilla Iselo of Lowville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother, Florence Muha in February of 2024 and his father-in-law, Robert Laux in March of 2019. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Mills Funeral Home, 301 Post Street, Boonville. A brief prayer service will conclude the calling hours at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in Doug's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116. Online messages of sympathy may be made at www.millsfuneralhomes.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Douglas W. Shaffer Jr., please click here to visit our sympathy store.