Obituary: Elliot Shafer
The World War II Navy veteran was a career Coast Guard officer, then worked for Texaco and Bank of America.
Elliot Stanley Shafer died Tuesday, March 14, 2017.
He was born in Roxbury, Mass. on Feb. 6, 1925, to his late parents, Anna Simons and Leo M. Shafer, and was preceded in death by his wife, Peryl Patricia Shafer, and sister, Sandra (Lewis) Wernick. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth (Charles) Cohn; grandchildren Michael Cohn of Atlanta and Stephen (Shannon) Cohn; and great-grandchild Catherine Cohn of Austin, Texas.
Elliot was educated in Winthrop Public Schools and graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in April 1944. Upon graduation, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy and assigned to a troop carrier that was commended for making more trips than any other during World War II. He married Patricia Goldman in Boston in September 1948. He returned to active duty and transferred to the Coast Guard in 1949; he retired as a commander in June 1970. One of the highlights of his career was escorting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip aboard the HMS Britannia on the 10th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
After retiring from the Coast Guard, Elliot worked for Texaco as a senior environmental specialist, handling oil spills and cleanups. He retired from Texaco in July 1987, moved to Atlanta and worked for Bank of America. He often volunteered with his daughter, ushering for Symphony Street and assisting the Decorators’ Show House & Gardens, benefiting the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He was also active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its “Buddy” Poppy campaigns. Befitting someone who lent his hand to such varied endeavors, he developed friendships with many, whom he cherished dearly.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Elliot’s honor may be made to the charity of your choice. Graveside services were held on Friday, March 17, at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel.
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