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Thomas G. Schipferling

Tommy “Sailor Tom” Schipferling, 80, died peacefully on Dec. 5, 2008, at the home of his nephew, Thomas Jankowski, in Georgia. He retired to St. James City over 30 years ago with the love of his life, his wife, Jeannie, traveling from the colds of Menasha, Wis. He was a barber in Menasha where he had a shop down the street from the pub owned by Jeanie’s family. It was not unusual to find a Packer or two getting a haircut from Tommy.

Once in Florida, however, he found his ideal home and he was found never to roam very often past the four-way stop on the island, except for the dog’s haircut.

He was a star athlete in high school, playing both football and baseball. He spent many, many years of his life playing or managing baseball and even played professional baseball as a catcher with the Chicago Cubs farm team. He loved baseball and the Cubbies were his team, for better or worse.

He was a World War II veteran and that led him to his being the most familiar face at the VFW and the American Legion of St. James City. Although he was a man of few words, he was a character who formed long lasting friendships that endured through the years. From keeping the ice going at the clubs to keeping up the community park, he was a familiar figure to St. James City residents, always with his sailor hat on and always with a nod and a wave.

He will be missed by those many friends and he missed them when he had to leave his home. They were never far from his heart.

He is survived by three brothers, Len, John (Carol) and Robert (Helen), all in Wisconsin, as well as many nieces and nephews in Wisconsin and his nephews, Tom Jankowski (Karen) in Georgia and Dan Jankowski (Christi) in Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeannie, his love since grade school; a brother, Frank; and a sister, Mary.

Many thanks to Countryside Hospice, Newnan, Ga., for its caring assistance with Tommy. Should you wish, please make a contribution to the facility, 820 Ebenezer Church Road, Suite 106, Sharpsburg, GA 30277.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Pine Island American Legion.