Gerald (Jerry) Schaffer's Obituary
Gerald (Jerry) Schaffer, 81, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 11, 2022 joining his beloved Marti, his wife of 53 years. Jerry was born December 20, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Sol Schaffer and Lillian Rosenbluth Schaffer. When Jerry was 13 his family relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where he graduated from Boca Ciega High School in 1959.
Following graduation, he earned an Associate of Arts degree from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1961 and a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree from the University of Tampa in 1964.
After graduation, Jerry married his one true love, Martha (Marti) Jean Henderson. They settled in Gainesville, Florida where Jerry began his career at the University of Florida as a junior accountant. He spent 36 years serving the University of Florida and ultimately was responsible for 10 major divisions and 1500 employees as the vice president of administrative affairs. Jerry’s great sense of humor, loyalty and commitment impacted those that knew him both personally and professionally.
Jerry's conscientiousness didn’t stop at the office, he dedicated himself at home spending hours on household chores, grocery shopping and grilling dinners. Jerry and Marti were inseparable and family was of great importance. For Jerry, vacation time meant family time, so he spent that time lounging at the pool near a beach, traveling in the mountains with Marti and the kids, and camping when the children were young. Later, when the grandkids arrived he enjoyed gathering for holidays and family events.
Jerry had skills on the grill, and he also had a green thumb tending to the lush green plants he nurtured around the pool and in the home. Jerry’s love of beautiful green spaces is reflected in many landscape art pieces meticulously drawn by his loving wife, and in the picturesque landscape across the 2000 acres of the University of Florida that Jerry spearheaded during his tenure at the university leaving a living legacy to the university and to Gainesville.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his children Sara Schaffer (grandchildren Eli Dahlman and Emilia Dahlman), Rebecca Schaffer (spouse Frank Vignati, grandchildren Remy Vignati, Conrad Vignati), Daniel Schaffer (spouse Angel Schaffer, grandchildren Savannah Schaffer, Brooke Schaffer, Grant Schaffer), sister Susan Schaffer, and niece Molly Schaffer.
A graveside funeral service will be held Sunday, August 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at B’nai Israel Cemetery with Rabbi David Kaiman officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine via the following link: http://artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/about/giving-to-aim/.
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