We celebrate the life of John Oscar Schaefer, 85, of Chazy Lake, NY and Jensen Beach, FL, who passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024 at home on his beloved lake surrounded by family and friends.

He was born in Hempstead, NY, the son of the late Oscar and Ilse Schaefer. He spent his early years playing sports and summering at Chazy Lake with family and his life-long best friend, Don Jackson. He was a valued Football and Wrestling athlete at Springfield College.  He was an assistant football coach at Penn State while earning his Master's Degree.  He met the former Pattricia Louise Murdzak at Penn State and they married on July 20, 1963 in Homestead, PA.

"Coach" pursued his sports passion by teaching Phys Ed and coaching award-winning Wresting and Football teams at J. F. Kennedy High School, Bellmore NY. He was inducted into NY State High School Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Nassau High School Athletics Hall of Fame and Suffolk County High School Athletics Hall of Fame for his coaching achievements.

John touched so many lives.  He was a role model to his children, grandchildren, and his students.  He instilled the character and principles of discipline and hard work.  To improve and overcome all challenges.  To distinguish yourself through your achievement, intelligence, and doing your business with excellence, period.  One of his wrestlers coined this "The Schaefer Brand".

In 1973, John and his father, Oscar, bought land on Chazy Lake and together they built the family summer home one nail at a time.   John highly valued time with his family.   He selflessly supported his girls and their passion for horses.

When anything needed done, John could do it – whether it was framing a house, masonry, plumbing, electric, or fixing an engine.  He took great pride in his many carpentry projects.  He taught his girls these amazing skills. His scroll saw creations are works of art.

He enjoyed being outdoors; racing Uncle Don in his Force 5 sailboat, kayak racing across the North Country, snowmobiling, ATV riding over mountain trails, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, swimming, and protecting the wildlife on Chazy Lake, especially the loons.  For years, he ran the very competitive Horseshoe Tournament at the Chazy Lake Picnic while Patt organized the children's games.  John loved music and dance: square dancing, line dancing, bluegrass concerts, and being part of the church choir.  He and Patt spent winter months at Nettles Island, FL continuing their outdoor activities of pickleball, horseshoes, and attending dances and parties with friends. He and Patt were the founders of Pickleball on Nettles Island.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora and St. Martin dePorres Church in Jensen Beach, FL.

John is survived by his wife, Patt of Chazy Lake, NY and Jensen Beach, FL; 3 daughters, Sherie Schaefer of Wilbraham, MA, Chazy Lake, NY and Jensen Beach, FL, Sandra Zeiler of Kilmarnock, VA, and Susan Russell of Telluride, CO; 4 grandchildren John O'Toole III, Catherine Cammaroto, Katerina Zeiler, and David Zeiler, Jr.

John's family will receive guests beginning at 11am on Wednesday, September 4, at St. Joseph's Church, 179 Smith Street, Dannemora, NY.   A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12pm with Reverend Michael Jablonski celebrating.  A reception will be held in the parish hall.

Burial will be Friday, September 6 in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, NY.   A reception will follow the burial to celebrate John's life: location and time TBA.

John died in the house that he built and he is now in the House the Lord built.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John Oscar Schaefer may be made to Hospice of the North Country, 358 Tom Miller Rd, Plattsburgh NY, 12901.  (518) 561-8465.  They provided exceptional comfort and care to John and his family over the last few weeks.

Arrangements are in the care of R.W. Walker Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, NY.  To share a memory or condolence with the family please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.