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John Ernest Shaffer, age 56, suffered a massive heart attack on Sunday May 12, 2024, while in the emergency department at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA. Born in Fall River, MA, on Saturday, December 2, 1967, he was the son of the late Carl Shaffer, Jeanette Soucy, and his stepfather Mark Soucy. He is survived by his longtime girlfriend Tracy Soares, his daughter Jessica Shaffer, and younger brother Brian Shaffer.
John was a resident of New Bedford, MA, and was a commercial fisherman for thirty years before he retired. He was currently working at Atkore as a forklift driver as a member of the Teamsters Local 49. A respected member of the Band of Brothers, John was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan to the core and hated the New England Patriots but loved his son-in-law Kraig anyway! John also loved to collect sports cards and knew all the facts about every player and was never wrong.
A memorial service for John will be held on Sunday, May 26th, from 1:00-3:00PM, at the Seamen’s Bethel and Mariner’s Home, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740. Followed by a Celebration of Life at the V.F.W. in Fairhaven, 109 Middle Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719
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