Obituary of Lynn J. Shaffer

Olean, NY  Lynn J. Shaffer of 1767 DeSoto Lane passed away Friday (May 19, 2017) at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born August 16, 1941 in Olean he was the son of  George and Jennie Wilber Shaffer.  On March 21, 1964 at St. Bonaventure Church he married Carol Kolin who survives.

Lynn attended Allegany Central School and maintained the family farm on the Five Mile Road until 1963.  He was an avid snow skier and worked as a slopes manager for the former Grosstal Ski Area (later Ski Wing and Wing Hollow) until its closure.  He also worked for over 30 years as an equipment operator for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad beginning in 1964, then later for Conrail and most recently for Norfolk Southern, retiring in 2001.  He served as president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way.  In retirement he worked for the Town of Allegany and provided maintenance for the Allegheny River Trail for 14 years.

He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church, the Allegheny River Trail committee and the former Wing Ski Club.  He volunteered as a driver for 10 years for VanGogh at Olean General Hospital and served on the organizing committee for the Enchanted Mountain bicycle race for many years.

Surviving besides his wife are 2 sons Michael Shaffer of Rouses Point, NY and Mark (Kristi) Shaffer of Arvada, CO; 2 grandsons Scott and Ryan Shaffer; 1 sister Lola Clayson of Hinsdale, over 50 nieces and nephews, and several cousins.

He was predeceased by 6 brothers Ken Shaffer, Otto Shaffer, Eldon Shaffer, Richard Shaffer, Ronald Shaffer and John Shaffer and 2 sisters Kathleen Guiffreda and Arlene Farwell.

Friends will be received on Monday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday (May 23, 2017) beginning with a prayer service at 9am in the funeral home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 9:30am in St. Bonaventure Church.  Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant.  Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Bonaventure Church, Homecare and Hospice, 1225 W. State St. Olean, NY 14760 or to a charity of the donor's choice.  Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.