George J. Schaefer, Jr.

George J. Schaefer, Jr., age 89 years of Raritan Township, NJ died on Monday, September 16, 2019.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 1, 1930, he was the eldest son of the late George and Margaret Crown Schaefer, Sr. He is predeceased by his wife Jean Ferrigno Schaefer (2012), and his brothers, Richard Schaefer and Thomas Schaefer.

George was a United States Navy veteran serving during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. In 1953, he married Jean Ferrigno. Together they had three children. In 1965, George and his family moved from Brooklyn, NY to Raritan Township, NJ where he resided until his death.

During his career he was a member of Local Union 46 Wire Lathers of NYC.

Later he became a commercial beekeeper for many years. He was the former owner of Jean's Honey, Inc. He had a vast amount of knowledge and was a teacher and mentor to all that were interested in learning about the life of bees and beekeeping. His social personality helped him to develop and expand his business. During his career as a beekeeper, he was a member and past president of both the NW Beekeepers Association and the NJ Beekeepers Association. He was most happy when he was out working in the bee yards.

George was a true family man. He was a loving husband, father, uncle and friend.

He enjoyed getting together with friends to play cards, eat, laugh and have fun.

His kindness, humor and guidance will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

He is survived by his son and his wife, George and Heidi Schaefer III of Flemington, NJ; his two daughters and their husbands. Jeanne and James Durfee of Sumner, ME and Margaret and Donald Tidey of Denville, NJ; four grandchildren, Sage & Eric Hammond, Jacob Parker, Allison Tidey and Lauren Tidey; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11:30AM in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ. Interment will be in St. Magdalen Cemetery, Flemington, NJ under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be Saturday 10:00-11:30AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information, or to send condolences.