Obituary of Paul E. Schaefer

Paul E. Schaefer of South Hackensack, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the age of 63. Paul was born in Pequannock Township, NJ and lived in South Hackensack for over 59 years. Paul's career began as an Industrial Equipment Technician with Acrison, Inc. After several years of traveling all over the country, Paul decided to pursue a self-employment profession as a home remodeling contractor. Paul's experience and reputation placed him in high demand because of his outstanding work ethic and impeccable craftmanship. Paul retired from this demanding industry after many successful years and began working with the maintenance team at Northern Highlands Regional School District. He absolutely loved his coworkers, the teachers, administrators and support staff. He continually told his family how happy he was there. Paul was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, Hackensack. He leaves behind his loving sons, Daniel & Stephen and his former wife, Betty Schaefer, his loving brother and sister-in-law, Louis & Irma Schaefer and his loving sister, Jane Mary Green. Paul also leaves behind his loving aunt, Ann Kern, many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved dog, Chase "Coconuts". Paul will also be deeply missed by so many dear and wonderful lifelong friends, neighbors and cherished coworkers. Paul would give you the shirt off of his back, help anyone who was is need and even regularly fed a community of feral cats. Paul was an avid fisherman and loved to vacation in warm, tropical destinations. Our family holds many fond memories of our local trips to the beach with Paul and many fabulous vacations to Aruba. As a child, Paul loved swimming, fishing and dirt bike riding with his siblings and cousins at his family's Pocono Mountain vacation home. Paul also enjoyed the simpler things in life, like a good BBQ with family and friends, driving his Harley-Davidson and his Corvette. He is predeceased by his parents, Karl & Mary Schaefer, his father-in-law, Ilidio Goncalves and his brother-in-law, Jay Green. The Funeral will begin on Friday, January 17th, 2025 at 9:45am from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 49 Vreeland Avenue, Hackensack at 11:00am, burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16th, from 4:00pm – 8:00pm for visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Paul to your local animal rescue or shelter. To send condolences, directions or for further information, please visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com