Obituary of Harold Phillip Shaffer

Harold Phillip Shaffer, 77, of Morgantown, passed away Sunday evening, May 24, 2015 at his residence. He was born in Kingwood on October 10, 1937, the son of the late Harvey Shaffer and the late Goldie (Wiles) Shaffer. Survivors include the love of his life, Patricia Jo Chico Shaffer, whom he courted beginning at the age of 14; two wonderful children, Danny Shaffer and his wife Lee Ann of Titusville, FL and Deborah Lynn Shaffer Turner and her husband Gary Paul Turner of Dallas, GA; and three grandchildren, Jessica Nichols and her husband Brandon of Rockmart, GA; Zak Turner and his wife Brandy Priest Turner of Atlanta, GA and Daniel Isaiah Shaffer of Titusville, FL. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Ralph Shaffer, and sisters Maxine Snider and Doris Miller, making Mr. Shaffer the last surviving member of his immediate family. Harold was a graduate of University High School and attended West Virginia University. He was veteran of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, attached to the 7th Army Division in Korea. While there, Harold continued with his love of baseball by playing all around Korea. After his return to the United States, he played semi-professional baseball and was going to be a “bonus baby” for the Philadelphia Phillies until an eye injury cut his career short. Additionally, he was an avid golfer, and played two to three times a week at Mountaineer Golf Course with his close friends. He retired as a Regional Safety Superintendent with Consolidated Coal Company after more than 33 years of service. After the Farmington No. 9 Mine Disaster in 1968, he testified before Congress helping to initiate and instill better mine safety regulations across the United States. He loved his God, and his church, and was a faithful member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Harold was a loving husband and father who completely adored his family. He was their encourager and rock. He was a survivor of a four year struggle against cancer as well as near blindness, but with help from his “Lovey” Patty, he made it through and persevered. The family will receive friends at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, One Guthrie Lane, Morgantown on Thursday, May 28th from 4-8 PM and again on Friday, May 29th from 10-11 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 11 AM on Friday, May 29th with Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, STD, VE, as celebrant. Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Peace Garden Mausoleum in Star City. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 7:30 PM Thursday evening in the church to conclude the visitation. Hastings Funeral Home of Morgantown is in care of the arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com