Ralph Shafer Sr.

Ralph C. Shafer, Sr., died peacefully in his home in Endicott, NY on Friday, April 16, 2021.
He was predeceased by his parents Hilda and Orby Shafer, of Scranton.
Ralph is survived by his beautiful bride of 52 years, Gloria (Dellos) Shafer; his children Kristie Nicolosi (Steven Lagos), Ralph “Chip” Shafer, Jr., (Susan Wolf), Katrina Shafer, Peter (Lori) Shafer; his sister Jean Wiglesworth; and his grandchildren Izobel Shafer, Eva Nicolosi, and Celia Shafer. He is also survived by amazing brothers in law Reverend Richard E. Dellos, (deceased) and Robert D. Dellos, also many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ralph died as he lived: gentle, sweet and faithful, and with his sense of humor intact. Ralph will be remembered as a humble, quiet, loving, patient and kind man.
Ralph was a proud Golden Alumni of Johnson College. After completing Johnson College, he joined the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (better known as the “Seabees”) where he was able to further his carpentry skills as a builder. He was also a member of the U.S. Navy Swim team. Ralph was a hard worker, having held long-time positions at GAF, EJ and IBM. And, it was later in life that he found his favorite “job” – supporting special-needs teens in their education as an aide at Union Endicott High School, where he worked for eight years at the end of his career. Ralph also served as both a Lector and on the Parish Counsel at Our Lady of Good Counsel church in Endicott for many years.
Ralph loved gardening, woodworking and making crafts with his hands. He was always working on a project around the house, and built the family dining room table and crocheted a tablecloth for it, where his family gathered for years at holidays and family events. He loved watching golf, and spending time with his family, including his trips to see his daughters in their homes out of state, vacations with his wife, and his annual trips to see the Yankees in NYC with his sons.
He was a strong, proud father and a loyal, loving husband. He loved his family and would show his pride for his children in many ways, and was often heard saying “We had four great and beautiful kids, something money can’t buy.”
Due to caution related to the COVID-19 pandemic, services for Ralph will be private.