SHAFFER EUGENE GENE Eugene "Gene" Shaffer, age 75, of Pine Township, formerly of Terrace Village, Pittsburgh, PA. Beloved husband for 32 years of Lou Ann (Arnold) Shaffer; father of Michelle (Eric Carroll) Christner, Eugene Shaffer, Jr., Michael (Stephanie) Shaffer, Johanna (Andrew DeLuca) Shaffer, and the late Robert (surviving spouse Jennifer) Siegworth; grandfather of Bobby, Nicholas, Rachel, and Brody; brother of William Shaffer, Judy White, Kathy Schwenning, John Shaffer, and the late JoAnn Shaffer; also survived by many nieces and nephews. Gene was born January 12, 1942, the son of the late William and Anna Skoko Shaffer. He graduated from Connelley Vocational High School with the Class of 1961 and enlisted with the U.S. Army in February of 1962. He served in Korea with the 581st Signal Corps as radio operator and was honorably discharged in May of 1967. After serving with the army, and with the help of his mother, Gene enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program at Magee Women's Hospital and began his lifelong career as respiratory therapist. He worked in most hospitals in the Pittsburgh area and taught respiratory therapy at the Community College of Allegheny County. After his retirement, Gene focused on the things he most enjoyed in life... his family, his friends, his motorhome, and sitting on the porch, "the veranda", "watching the grass grow" and waiting on the hummingbirds. Gene leaves us with many memories and words of wisdom such as, "If a buzzard had a banjo... there would be music in the air", "keep your eye on the prize", and " 'bout an hour..." Family will welcome friends on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at SCHELLHAAS & SONS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1600 Stone Mansion Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143 (Franklin Park/Wexford). Mass will be held in St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 24 Maryland Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15209 on February 9, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Gene will join his mother, his sister, and his Uncle Paul in the St. Nicholas cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of your choice. Please offer condolences at: www.schellhaasfh.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
