It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Henry F.M. Schaeffer, age 83, of Colchester, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.

Henry was born on January 21, 1942, in Norwich, CT, to the late Henry and Jane (Lambert) Schaeffer. A talented musician and dedicated music teacher, Henry spent much of his life sharing his love for music with others. As a passionate drummer and educator, he inspired and mentored countless students, teaching them the art of percussion over the years.

Hank, as most of his family and friends called him, grew up in Norwich and attended NFA where he discovered his true passion for music. He and his lifelong friend and cousin, Frans Eyberse, both decided to go to college in Texas and made the long journey together to attend Texas Tech university. It is there he met his first wife Sarah Berghane who he raised two children with: Johnny & Tammy. 

Hank’s second marriage was to Christina MacNeil who was a coworker of Frans’. They lived together on a small gentleman's farm in Salem, Ct. They had a single child who they raised together: Kassy.

Hank's life was forever changed when he met his third wife, Susan Baroni-Schaeffer, who was working at the Norwich Bulletin as an advertising representative. They first connected when Hank was placing an ad for the feed company he worked for at the time. Their love story continued for many years, and they shared a life filled with love and laughter until her passing on June 6, 2022.

Throughout his life music was a constant undertone. Many of the bands he played music with through the years are still remembered fondly throughout New London County: The Rainbows, the Graduates, and several country bands: Al Barlows Countryside band and Tommy Cox band. His latest musical endeavours included drumming for Tish Rabe & friends and as a Drum Sergeant in the Middletown PBA.

Hank is survived by his first cousin who was like a brother, Frans Eyberse and his children; Henry J. Schaeffer and his wife Laurie; Kirsten Dalton and her husband Kyle Dalton; as well as stepdaughters Genna Baroni and Kate Salathe. He was a proud grandfather to Emmett Schaeffer, Erin Schaeffer, Erin Lilienthal, Dana Lilienthal, Korbin Dalton, Romy Salathe, and numerous other extended family and friends. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT. Calling hours will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a chapel service at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to support Colchester’s music programs or the Middletown PBA Pipes & Drums at www.mpbabagpipe.com/donate.

Henry’s legacy as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and teacher will live on through the many lives he touched with his music and kindness.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry "Hank" F.M. Schaeffer, please visit our floral store.