John Schafer

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John Schafer, of Trenton, NJ, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at the age of 100. He will be lovingly remembered by his 4 sons, Edward, Gordon, Jay and William and their families, including, daughters-in-law Joy, Sarah and Amy, grandchildren, Randy, Jeremy, Jill, Jackie, Tovah, Julia, Michael, Lindsey, Matthew and Jesse, many great grandchildren, and his long-time friend and second wife Rose. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Grace, his sisters Janet Fleisher and Constance, daughter-in-law Harriet and his wife Edith.

John grew up in Trenton, N.J. and graduated from the Peddie School where he was a member of the wrestling and swim teams. John attended the University of Pennsylvania before serving in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), from 1942 to 1945. While in the Army Air Force he married his first wife, Margery, who travelled with John. John was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. More recently, Governor Chris Christie presented John with the Distinguished Service Medal for distinguished meritorious service in ground operations during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations.

After the war, John continued his father’s legacy in the furniture business. Over his career John owned and operated 6 furniture stores, 3 in Trenton and 3 in Pennsylvania – Lancaster, York and Carlisle. He also assisted his sons in going on to own their own stores. John worked until the age of 92 in his favorite and last remaining furniture store, Home Furniture, located on North Broad Street in Trenton, N.J. which had been built by his father in 1925.

John also maintained his Jewish roots as an active member of Har Sinai Temple for over 50 years, where he generously participated, including donating land for the temple’s expansion.

His greatest leisure pursuit was golf, a favorite pastime. John was a member of Greenacres Country Club for over 50 years and won dozens of tournaments.

Private graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 14 at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton Township, NJ.

Donations may be made in John’s memory to the National Museum of American Jewish Military History (NMAJMH). (https://nmajmh.org/).

To view John’s family photo album, click: https://photos.shutterfly.com/story_invite/ce9bb5d7-ce94-4d20-bd40-241eb88f5308

VIRTUAL SERVICE ATTENDANCE:

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