Passed away January 24th, 2020.
Gordon Shafer, 63, passed away on January 24, 2020 from complications due to a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife and two children at his home in Burlington, CT. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many.
Gordon was born to Vavra Sprankle and John Shafer in Madrid, Spain on June 5, 1956. He grew up in New Canaan, CT until he made Litchfield, and subsequently Burlington, CT his permanent home.
Gordon is survived by his wife Lindy Shafer, son Brian Shafer and wife Meredith, daughter Jennifer White and husband Tim, grandchildren Hailey White, Spencer White, William Shafer and Brooke Shafer, Lindy’s children Melissa Preece and her children Flynn and Bodie, Megan Genetti and her children Ethan and Collin, Derek Genetti, his wife Margaret and their son Mason and brother in-law Billy Neller. Gordon is predeceased by his father John Shafer, mother Vavra Sprankle, brother Geoffrey Shafer, sister Ali Neller and his beloved service dog, Tuesday.
In addition to working as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Dwan and Company for many years, Gordon served several years on the Litchfield Road Race Committee, and as the co-race director for two of those years. He volunteered for the Muscular Dystrophy Annual Telethon and was co-chair of the Dwan & Company golf tournament to benefit MDA. He coordinated the Litchfield 4th of July Lobster Dinner and fireworks. In 1992 he ran the Boston Marathon, was an assistant coach and volunteer for the Litchfield High School Cross Country team and the Litchfield Track Club. In 2008 he was valedictorian of his class at Tunxis Community College. Most recently he was a volunteer home handler for Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD).
Later in life, Gordon also had a condition called Syringomyelia, a disease of the spinal cord, which caused pain and limited his mobility. Throughout this long struggle he amazingly kept a positive and cheerful demeanor, refusing to let his disability take away his zest for life and quality time with his family. He was an inspiration to all those who knew just how much he dealt with for so long. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional care that Gordon received from Hartford Healthcare at Home.
Funeral services will take place at the Litchfield Congregational Church on Saturday, February 1st at 3:30 pm. A reception will follow at The Litchfield Inn.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations made in Gordon’s memory to ECAD at ECAD1.org or P.O. Box 831, Torrington, CT 06790.