James Carl Shafer, 85, of West Hartford, CT, died peacefully on October 25, 2023 at John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, CT. Born on February 6, 1938 in Lima, Ohio, to James T. Shafer and Eleanor Gross, Jim graduated from Lima Senior High School in 1956, and from the University of Colorado in Denver in 1960. He began his career in insurance underwriting with The Hartford in Denver, moving on to Detroit, and then finding his way to Hartford, CT. His career continued with the Travelers Insurance Company, back to The Hartford, Constitution State Insurance Company, and then retiring from General Reinsurance Company in Stamford, CT. Jim was well-liked, admired and respected by his coworkers and colleagues in the industry. 

Jim was ardent about being an Anglophile; ardent about being a churchman and embracing the Episcopal Church as an adult; ardent about music, especially Opera, so much so that he had season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and commuted to the Saturday matinee for decades; ardent about volunteering wherever needed; and most importantly, ardent about maintaining friendships. Jim was a loyal, true and generous friend, and he touched hundreds of lives, whether it be a Bishop of the Church or a waiter at his favorite restaurant. 

Jim is survived by his sister, Nelda Sue Ludwig; his nephews, Mark (Katie) Basinger and Matthew Ludwig; and his niece, Sharlyn Smith of Lima, OH.

He also leaves many special friends to mourn his loss, especially Ruth and Win, Ellen, John and Ruth, Joe, Sandra, Barbara, Tom and Elaine, Rick, Joanne, Pamela, and his faithful priest The Rev. Rowena J. Kemp. He was pre-deceased by his parents and brothers-in-law, Richard L. Basinger and Larry Ludwig.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, earmarked for ‘A Place for Grace Food Pantry’, 55 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106.

His family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at John Dempsey Hospital and the Hospice Care Team.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 55 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT.  If you are unable to attend in person, the Service will be live-streamed on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GECHartford

The Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford has care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com