Charles Henry Schaffner III “Chuck“, of Catawba Island, passed peacefully at his home on Catawba on May 2. Chuck Schaffner was born in Cleveland on Dec. 7, 1942, to Henry Wicks Schaffner “Chick” and Geraldine McKenna Schaffner. As we are prone to say, “It wasn’t over, when they bombed Pearl Harbor!”

Chuck is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Cousineau Schaffner “Sandy” of Catawba Island, sister Katherine Ann Sardeson of Bowling Green, brother John Schaffner and his wife Mary Alice Schaffner of Port Clinton, son Charles H. Schaffner the IV “Chip” and his wife Kellie of Avon Lake, son Carl Wicks Schaffner of Raleigh, N.C., grandchildren Alexandra Schaffner “Alex”, Ella Schaffner, Charles H. Schaffner V “Chad”, and Olivia Schaffner. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary Francis Willford.

Chuck spent his formative years at Bowling Green High School and Deerfield Academy where he played football as a defensive end and was All League. Chuck then graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1965, where he studied Economics and Mathematics. He enrolled as a cadet in the ROTC program at Xavier, after which he progressed to 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Joliet, Ill. There he received a Certificate of Achievement and The Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was honorably discharged in 1968.

Chuck worked as a quality analyst progressing to a plant superintendent at New Departure Hyatt in Sandusky for 24 years, then moved to Cadiz, Spain for 6 years as the plant manager of Delphi Componentes, S.A. from which he retired in 2001. This allowed him to transition into a consultive position for 3 years with Delphi Automotive to develop operations in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Daegu, Korea.

Sailing was one of Chucks passions. He founded and was Captain of the Xavier University Sailing Team and turned it into a Varsity sport. Chuck was a co-founder of MORC Station 14 on Lake Erie, establishing many races along the south shore. He raced his sailboats to many victories on the shores of Lake Erie, instilling a love of the water to his entire family. When he was not on the water, he could be found on the links of the Catawba Island Club as a member of the Men’s Golf League and co-host to the “Chick” Schaffner Stein Hospice Memorial Tournament.

As a member of Port Clinton Yacht Club, he served as a Board Member and ultimately as Commodore in 1986. He was also a member of the Catawba Island Club, International Order of the Blue Gavel, Colonial Club, Elks Club, and an avid Duplicate Bridge Player. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Stein Hospice, Sandusky, OH and all family and friends for their love and support. Chuck will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 18 at Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton. Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 Madison Street, Port Clinton, on May 19 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Catawba Island Cemetery. Arrangements are by Walker Funeral Home.

Memorial donations in memory of Chuck can be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 and the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.