Obituary of Richard Henry Schaefer

Schaefer, Richard (Dick) Henry, of Islip, NY, on May 16, 2017.  Dick was born on March 15, 1929 in Woodhaven, New York, to the late Gregor, Sr. and Mary Catherine Schaefer.  Dick attended Brooklyn Prep and graduated from Manhattan College.  In September of 1957, he married Aileen Rose (nee Mannix) who predeceased him in 2015.  She was the love of his life. Dick was the most loving, generous and spiritual man who was adored by all who met him.  He was founder and CEO of Richard H. Schaefer, Inc., his general contracting company.  Dick shared his many talents by serving on the boards of Bay Shore Hospice, the YMCA, Good Samaritan Hospital and St. Mary’s church building committee.  Along with Aileen, he also volunteered at the Bethany Hospitality Inn Soup Kitchen.  Together, Aileen and Dick were named to the St. John the Baptist DHS Hall of Fame.  They were honored by St. Mary’s R.C. Church for their 30+ years of dedicated service.  Dick was an ocean lifeguard, lifelong swimmer and avid boater.  He cherished sailing his family and friends on his Chesapeake Bay skipjack - the Nine Belles.  He is survived by his ten adoring children, Mary Catherine (Peter) Gutmann, Aileen (Michael) Aviles, Ann (Philip) Flint Wood, Richard Henry, Jr., Elise, Mary Margaret (Sarah), Alison (Michael) Warner, Sheila (Michael) Schilling, Constance, Delia (Justin) Fulweiler and his beloved 14 grandchildren who affectionately called him “Opie”.   Dear brother of Gregor Schaefer, Jr., Cathleen Chapey and the late Marie O’Connor and Laurence A. Schaefer, Sr. Reposing at The Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons West Islip Funeral Home, 1225 Montauk Highway (1/4 mile west of The Robert Moses Cswy.).  Celebration of the Liturgy of Christian Burial Monday 11:00 AM will be held at St. Mary’s R.C. Church at 20 Harrison Ave, East Islip, NY.  Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary’s Church, 20 Harrison Avenue, East Islip, NY 11730 or Bethany Hospitality Inn soup kitchen, P.O. Box 56, Central Islip, NY 11722. Visiting on Saturday, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Sunday, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.