Thomas Andrew Shaffner

Tom Shaffner passed away on Thursday, May 30 th, at the age of 81. Born on Feb 25,
1943, he was the son of Marion G. and Dorothy Balser Shaffner.

He grew up in Harrisburg, PA, graduating from William Penn High School and Bucknell University, where he majored in math and joined the ROTC. Tom lived a life of service. His patience and kindness led him to a 36-year career; teaching math at Elkton High School for all 36 years. For many years he served as the Senior Class Advisor and the Student Council Advisor. Coaching was another opportunity to teach and Tom coached tennis and soccer at Elkton High School and soccer at Bohemia Manor, as well as his sons’ Little League team.

After retiring in 2003, he moved on to Cecil College, spending 15 years on the adjunct faculty, teaching math and continuing education courses on W.W. II, until retiring in 2018. For many years, Tom served as the chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Cecil County Federal Employees Credit Union.

He also believed in service to his country and fulfilled his ROTC requirement by joining the U.S. Army in 1966, serving as a Munitions Officer, for which he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal in 1968. Tom had many interests, the primary one being his family. He loved traveling, reading history and biographies, investigating his ancestry, doing cryptograms and crossword puzzles, and watching Midsomer Murders. He loved Ernest Hemingway, Issac Asimov and Louis L’Amour. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Leslie. He is also survived by three sons’: Jason (Rebecca) of York, PA, Andrew (Rae) of Telluride, CO and Matt of Bear, DE. He was a devoted Pop Pop to Ethan, Sophie, Nate, Bond and Augustus. He is also survived by his brother Rick (Sue), and their son Josh and family, sister-in-law Mary Ellen Raun, and cousin Karen Weider.

In lieu of flowers,
Tom would have loved donations to the Cecil County Animal Services.