Roy E. Shaffer, Jr., 63, U.S. Marine Corp Veteran

He was born May 15, 1942 in Lorain where he was raised. He moved to Boca Raton, Florida in 1987 where he lived until moving to Clearwater in 1991.

In the 1960s, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp, achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5. Upon returning to Lorain from the service, Shaffer became a plumber’s apprentice and worked for several years as a superintendent at a Lorain plumbing firm. At the age of 26, he quit his job and became a general contractor, starting Shaffer Construction Co. and went on to become a prominent residential and commercial builder in the Lorain area.

While in Lorain, he served as a director of a community bank and served on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations. After moving to Florida to pursue business opportunities, he continued development of real estate properties for financial institutions in Boca Ranton and later in Tampa, ultimately starting his own real estate development business in Pinellas County, and developed Brookers Landing, Cypress Lake Estates, Cypress Cove, Grey Oaks and Juniper Bay in Landsbrook.

Shaffer was one of the founders of Patriot Bank in Trinity in Pasco County and also a member of its board of directors. He also contributed substantial financial assistance to Morton Plant Meese Hospitals, donations of land to Pinellas County for land preservation and for the fire station adjacent to East Lake Woodlands. He also had a love of animas, especially of eagles, and had donated land and financial support for an eagle preserve.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-six years Joan Shaffer (nee: Bansek); his sister, Mary Redilla of Amherst; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy E. Shaffer on August 23, 1994 and Mildred Shaffer (nee: Yeager) on April 10, 1992.

Friends may call Tuesday, April 25, 2006, from 4-8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. from the funeral home. Burial will be in Ride Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.