Vernard "Bud" Emerson Shafer, 87, died Wednesday, October 21, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Janet (Hess) Shafer of Gales Ferry. He was born at Burnett’s Corner in Groton on February 27, 1928, the son of Frank and Effie (Whipple) Shafer. During and after high school Bud worked at the Haley Farm in Noank to help support his family.
Bud enlisted in the Connecticut National Guard serving for five years including activation for the Korean War. Upon honorable discharge, he worked for 33 years at Electric Boat Corporation retiring in 1985 as a Supervisor in Department 227. He also worked part time at Riverside Foreign Motors in Stonington.
Bud was a life member of the VFW of Mystic and over the years a member of Ledyard Sportsman Club, Quaker Hill Gun Club and the Sprague Gun Club. He and Janet enjoyed Bud’s long retirement traveling between their place in Sarasota Florida and Gales Ferry and travels cross country in their motor home.
In addition to his wife Janet, he is survived by his two sons Jeffrey and his wife Judy of Ledyard and Wayne Shafer of Groton City. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Catherine Shafer, his 3 grandchildren Jason and Meggan Shafer, Amanda Comeau, and 2 great grandchildren Logan Holt and Caylee Jayne Comeau and step grandchildren Jen and Alicia Murray. He is also survived by his brother Ronald and his wife Madelyn Shafer of Brunswick, Georgia. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother Howard and sisters Vivian, Mildred Darrow, June Darrow, Catherine Merritt.
A Graveside Service will be conducted on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:30am at the Lambtown Cemetery, Lambtown Road, Ledyard. Donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or Beacon Hospice of Ct.
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