SCHAEFER Gary Alan, age 64 of Jersey City, suddenly on March 28. Beloved son of the late Raymond and Veronica Schaefer, brother Robert, and grandmother Tessie Hughes. Survived by nephew Mark, sister-in-law Ingrid, many NYC friends, and lifelong friends from Wales Ave. in River Edge.Gary was a 1963 graduate of River Dell H.S. Gary began his career with RCA Communications in 1964, and remained with the company until retirement in 2004. Friends and family will meet at George Washington Cemetery, Paramus on Monday, April 6, at 2 PM to say goodbye.
Dear Gary: May you rest in peace and enjoy eternal life with family and friends who have gone before you free of pain and discomfort.
Blaine M. Pool
It has been difficult to find out about arrangements as the executor for his estate is not a person we know and frankly they have not kept us very well informed. Last night we learned that they are not planning to have a viewing and that Gary will be cremated and buried with family members at George Washington Memorial Park at the intersection of Paramus Rd. and Century Rd. in Paramus . This will occur on Monday at 2 p.m. I am sure several of his old buddies from Wales Ave. will be there and all are welcome to honor our old friend.”
Many thanks Blaine !
Dave Eliassen
remember so well the baseball games at the park with Gary Schaefer and the others mentioned by Pete Zulli. There were also the countless games of pickup football in front of and behind Woodland School / River Dell Junior HS. And sometimes even in our tiny front yard. Gary ’s mother was our den mother in the cub scouts, most of the meetings taking place in their house. Mrs. Schaefer was terrific, as was Gary ’s dad, who has been mentioned (along with Gary ’s brother Robert) as mainstay referees in the Boys Club. The kid parties of that time were calculated to pair up the boys and girls in some deliberate way, and I remember being at a party at Gary ’s house for what seemed to be the customary game of spin the bottle (wow!). Names that come to mind in those days included friends Roger Christiansen and Bobby Gross, both of whom eventually moved to other parts – Roger from 7th Avenue and Bobby from Woodland. Part of the allure of West Wales was the brook at the bottom of the street where many of us played. Gary was a good chum and good friend during these times.
Bob Sawers
