Maurice T Shafer

RED CREEK Maurice Thomas Shafer passed away May 10, 2013, at the age of 89. He spent the first years of his life on his family's farm on West Bay Road, Fair Haven. At age six, the family moved to Red Creek where he became a life-long resident and fixture in the community. He graduated from Red Creek Central School and attended Syracuse University for two years before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a sergeant in the 761st Military Police Battalion in Anchorage, Alaska. Maurice was a rural letter carrier in Red Creek until his retirement in 1985, and served as president of the Rural Letter Carriers Association of Wayne County. He was also a life-long member of the Red Creek Methodist Church, and a member of the American Legion. For 66 years, "Smokey" was a member of the Red Creek Volunteer Fire Department where he was secretary/treasurer and also served on the Wayne County Advisory Board. He is survived by his daughter Nancy (Nicholas) Felice of Minneapolis, MN; son Thomas of Newark, NY; step-grandson Sebastian (Kristie) Felice and great-grandsons Ryan and Anthony of Viera, FL, brother-in-law Frank (Mary Lynn) Raiti of Osceola, NY, loving nieces and nephews, and his cousins Esther Samuels of London, England and Murray and Michael Ferris of Glasgow, Scotland. He is predeceased by his wonderful wife of 45 years, Carmella Raiti Shafer, his brother Lawrence (Evelyn) Shafer, brother-in-law Ed (Helen) Raiti, niece Marilyn Shafer Biss and nephew Michael Raiti. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his ability to make friends everywhere he went, his sweet tooth, his love of Syracuse University basketball, and above all, his deep devotion to his family and his community. Calling hours will be Thursday, June 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Becker-Keysor Funeral Home, 6816 Church St., Red Creek, NY. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 21, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Red Creek Westbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 186, Red Creek, NY 13143.