Gary William Schaffner

Gary William Schaffner after multiple health challenges over the years, with his loved ones by his side, was called to celebrate our Savior’s birthday in heaven. 

Gary William Schaffner was born November 16, 1949 in Boise, ID to Frank and Bene Schaffner. He grew up on a small farm surrounded by dairy farms in what is now Eagle, ID and learned to hunt and fish by the time he was 7 years old. Gary’s life was full of        outdoor adventures hunting elk, deer, antelope, goose, duck, chukar, quail, doves and fishing for salmon, steelhead, trout, sturgeon, halibut, marlin, rooster fish, dorado, tuna. Fishing on Kodiak Island for salmon with his brothers, sons, friends and a few bears.   Pilgrimages with his wife Genny to Italy, the Vatican and Medjugorje and realizing his gift of healing prayer. 

Gary was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church (where he also attended 8 years of school) until 2001 when Holy Apostles Catholic Church opened ~ Gary to be a part of the Healing Ministry and Genny to be involved with the Parish Nursing Ministry. Gary was the first four year class to graduate from Bishop Kelly High School. In high school he was known to play hookey with his friends to go fishing or hunting, enough that the principal, Fr. Reggie Wilson, called him into the office and gave him a medal of St. Jude, the patron saint of difficult cases, but later Gary had St. Jude as a patron saint of healing for those who feel lost and helpless in the healing ministry. Gary’s faith in God was unshakable, he was a man of deep faith, caring, loving, active in many ministries at Holy Apostles and didn’t let his declining health stop him.

Besides being a gifted outdoorsman he excelled in athletics but hunting and fishing took precedence, he was musically talented was lead singer starting in High School in many bands most notable was the Mystics. He was a third generation master craftsman brick and block mason in business with his dad, then started a home building business with his oldest brother, Dennis. He built beautiful homes for his family along with helping others with his time, talent and treasure. Gary helped a legally blind man finish building his house, finished the first chapel at Marymount Hermitage, remodeled a bathroom to be handicap accessible for a man in need just to name a few acts of generosity. 

Gary was blessed with two sons, Ryan and Benjamin, from his first marriage. In 1990 Gary started a new chapter in his life and married Genevieve “Genny” to which he gained another son, Buck, and daughter, Katy. He was proud of his Basque heritage and was a long-standing member of the Basque Center and Museum. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Frank, and Bene Mingo Schaffner and         numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of almost 35 years,      Genevieve (Genny), sons and their families: Ryan (Rachel) Schaffner and grandchildren, Emma and Zachary, Benjamin Schaffner and grandson Evren; Buck (Melissa) Harris and Bucky and daughter, Katy Harris; brothers: Dennis (Terri) Schaffner, Marc (Jeri) Schaffner, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law. 

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him”.