In Memory of

Jeffrey

C.

Hafer

`

Obituary for Jeffrey C. Hafer `

Jeffrey C. Hafer, 67, of Sinking Spring, died on November 6, 2018 from ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He said if he was going to get a debilitating disease, at least it was one named after a famous baseball player.

Jeff, was a native of West Reading. He was the second of five children born to Charles and Irene Hafer. After being in the last graduating class of West Reading High School ('68), he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Design Engineering Technology from Penn State. On June 26, 1972 he started his lifelong career with Met Ed (now known as First Energy) and retired at the end of September, 2018. During his career, he served as Chairman of the Board for the International Communications Association and wrote a chapter in "The Network Manager's Handbook."

When asked what he'd want written in his obituary, Jeff mentioned that he has met Dick Vermeil, NFL coach and Super Bowl winner, Jim Lovel, captain of Apollo 13, and Jeff Foxworthy, a comedian most known for his "you might be a redneck if..." jokes. He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan and enjoyed being let down by his football team for many years. Luckily, he will move on from this world with the knowledge that the Eagles are the World Champions. Anytime Jeff left the house he ran into someone who knew him. He recently said he knows someone in all 50 states. This was probably because he made a point to make a connection with those around him. He was always cracking jokes, particularly with his "Thursday Night Choir Practice" guys at Paolo’s. He talked and laughed with everyone from the servers at restaurants to the nurses at the infusion center while he was being treated for Lymphoma this past year. Even when Jeff began to lose his ability to speak due to the ALS, he still always tried to make people laugh and could be found with a smile on his face.

Other passions of Jeff's included camping, fishing on his boat, building and fixing things in his garage, kayaking, and drinking Yuengling Lager, which he often did in conjunction with many of the previously mentioned activities. He also adored spending time with the only person who ever called him "Pop Pop."

Jeff is survived by his wife, Linda (nee Rhoads), his children, Danny (Elise), Megan and Tommy, and his favorite person to make scrambled eggs for, his granddaughter, Cara. He will be lovingly remembered by his sisters, Deb (Donald) Hart, Cheri (Frank) Pogue and his sisters-in-law Martha Hafer and Char Hafer. Jeff will join his parents and his brothers, Fred and Greg, in the afterlife. Most likely they will be enjoying beer and pretzels.

Friends and family will be received on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 10am at Kuhn Funeral Home in West Reading. This will be followed by a Celebration of Life at 12pm. Although he owned many wacky ties, to honor the memory of Jeff, casual attire is preferred. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice for All Seasons at 280 South Hill Drive, Grantville, PA 17028.