Jason Shaffer

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 14:42

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It’s Saturday morning. You were coming down to visit my family this weekend. I was supposed to be picking you up at the airport in the next few hours. Instead I sit here staring, blurry eyed, at a blinking cursor on my monitor shouldered with the task of writing your obituary.
    You were the first child born to Clyde and Cathy Shaffer. You arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, October 23rd, 1973, and you left us, far too early, on a Monday morning , April 22nd, 2013.
    You may have been born in Sitka, Alaska and called it your home for your entire life, but our little town wasn’t enough to contain your spirit. Over the next 39 years you traveled the world, created countless friendships and accomplished what others could only dream of.
    After graduating from Sitka High School in 1992, we all watched and lived vicariously as you studied, worked and lived in Paris, New York, Chicago and Seattle before returning home to share your stories. The stories are too many in number to recall but the central theme throughout was “passion.” You lived with passion, you loved with passion and this is how you will be remembered.
    Upon your return to Sitka you assumed the reins of Baranof Realty, and although real estate transactions are not typically described as “fun” and “enjoyable,” your charismatic approach to your career made it just that – fun and enjoyable.
    Your passing was a shock to all of us who loved you. We are saddened beyond words that we no longer get to see your infectious smile, hear your unmistakable laugh and feel the unbridled level of commitment when you hugged us and said “I love you” – you meant it. Every single time.
    In addition to your free spirit that attracted hundreds of friends over the years, you never wavered from the commitment to your family. We admired your special connection to the many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and beyond; you had a way of making all the people in your life feel loved and appreciated. Your relationship with your parents, Clyde and Cathy; your sister Crystal; Crystal’s son Chatham; your living grandparents Pat and Fred Gottfried, Glenn Troyer, Leona Shaffer; and those grandparents who went before you, Wesley and Betty Shaffer, Robert McGaugh and Mary Troyer were among your greatest attributes.
    Jason, there are hundreds of people at all four corners of this world whose lives are more fulfilled because of you.
Your service will be held in Centennial Hall at 2 o’clock on Saturday, May the 4th. We chose the biggest venue Sitka had to offer, and I fear it still won’t be enough to accommodate all those who will attend. You were loved by so many. I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealously when I see the overwhelming number of people that refer to you as a “best friend.” But as I sit here reflecting on the years you were with us, I’m not surprised that others share my belief that you represented the true essence of what friendship is meant to be.
    There will only ever be one Jason Shaffer. We will miss you terribly but in time the prevailing feelings of sadness will one day be replaced with the memories of happiness; I know I speak for everyone who knew you when I say – my life is more meaningful because you were a part of it.
                                           – Matt Elerding
    Jason’s service will be held at Centennial Hall at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 4. In lieu of flowers, an account for donations has been established at First Bank under “Jason’s Donation Account” and proceeds will go to Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services.

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