Albert Jay Shaffer
February 23, 1953 ~ November 18, 2023
Resided in:
Portland, Maine
Portland
A. Jay Shaffer, 70, passed away on Saturday November 18, 2023 in Portland.
Jay was born on February 23, 1953 in New York, NY to parents, David M. and Shirley (Kohn) Shaffer.
Jay was raised on Long Island, attended Roslyn South High School, George Washington University, Hofstra, and the New York Restaurant School. He became a prominent figure in the restaurant industry. Jay owned several establishments, most notably the Shaffer City Oyster Bar and Grill in Manhattan's Flatiron District. His oyster bar achieved widespread acclaim, earning a reputation as one of the best in the country, a source of immense pride for Jay.
A true New York sports enthusiast, Jay was a fan of the Mets, Jets, Knicks, and Islanders. Skiing and golfing were cherished pastimes, particularly in Vermont and Canada, where he enjoyed these activities with his sons. Known for hosting the best tailgate parties, he held season tickets for the Jets for over two decades. Jay also had a deep appreciation for fine art, evidenced in the names of his two cats, Vincent and Monet. Boisterous and genuine, he left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered, his presence larger than life.
Jay was predeceased by his parents, and his son David Matthew Shaffer. He is survived by his son James Andrew Shaffer and his wife Liz Wilson-Shaffer, along with his grandson, Archie Wilson Shaffer. Jay also leaves behind his cherished cats, Vincent and Monet.
A memorial service for Jay will be held on Monday November 27 at 2:00 pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Jay’s honor to NAMI at nami.org.
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His laugh
Through his love of food and people.
So many funny stories most of which are inappropriate for here. We lived and played hard growing up and were good friends despite our physical distance as adults.
Funny, generous, devoted to his sons and grandson, food perfectionist
Lived one street over and we’re best friends as children through college. Went our separate ways as adults but remained close over the 63 years we knew each other.
Jay and I were lifelong friends. We met very young and stayed in touch throughout our lives. I will miss him greatly. May his memory be a blessing.
He was a great ping pong player
He was genuine to his core.
I love you and will miss you and our conversations.
His sons and his cats
He was truly loved by so many.
Loving, caring , thoughtful, kind. Funny to hysterical. A people person. . Very generous. He was loved by so many.
Jay had an apt in the city for about 40 years. My son lived there for 7 years. They never met.
Knew him since 3rd grade. We weren’t friends in high school but during Covid we became best buds!! He was boo and I was boo boo. Thats how we felt about each other. Jay was loving, caring, compassionate. Always one to help out. It goes on and on ❤️
In 3rd grade he taught me the F word. Something I always remembered
Everything
A friend, a mentor, a boss – Jay I will never forget the encouragement you gave me. May your memory be a blessing.
Jay was as close as a brother!
Only knew him for a short few years. He will be a part of my life forever. A big hole that will never be filled.
My side of the family wasn’t always on the best terms with my uncle Jay, but he and I were pretty close for much of my adult life. When I first moved to the city, he gave me a job at his restaurant, the illustrious and legendary Shaffer City, where I spent a big chunk of my formative twenties experiencing real and exciting, somewhat carefree life, living on my own in the big city. He was boisterous, young at heart, and somehow always kept up with the crew of us rambunctious youngsters running amok in his restaurant. I did a ton of growing up during those years, and that little pocket of time in my life will always be a precious and treasured one.
I haven’t seen him in a long while, but we caught up on the phone or Facebook every so often (although, with hindsight, of course I wish we had a lot more). He was always understanding and good to me through all of my antics and misadventures. I’ll always remember drinking too many bottles from his insanely massive collection of fancy wine when he’d have me over the apartment for dinner of home-cooked culinary delights.
Uncle Jay was one of the most truly genuine people you could ever hope to know, and was a perfectly crazy madman of the highest order, which found us together on the same level of that ‘good kind of crazy’.. and whether he knew it or not, he had a great impact on my life and the ‘good kind of crazy’ person I’ve become. I loved him very much and his presence will be missed.
Jay was a friend who helped me navigate a diet to control my sugar. Of course I didn’t always adhere. Jay was one of those who made you a friend for life, with his unwavering love and compassion. I will always miss his posts about “it’s what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner”, and the “runny eggs”. They truly gave me incite to create a new healthy dish. Gonna miss him so much. Rest easy Jay🙏❤️🙏
Sincere condolences to the family and many friends on the loss of Jay. May his memory be a blessing 🙏❤️🙏
Love
By unconditionally helping others.
I’m not sure where to put this, so I will put it here, with my people. Jay Shaffer may have been the craziest (though brilliant) boss I have ever had. But I loved him, and I know he loved me. Those years at Shaffer City were some of the most formative years of my young adult New York City life. That chapter will forever exist in my life’s timeline, in the best way… we were family. I am remembering now, that one year I spent Thanksgiving at his NYC apartment. He was so proud and (as per usual) over delivered in his culinary expertise. He always had me drinking the finest wine, far beyond what my young palate could appreciate… a waste, in hindsight. What I would give, to share one of those gorgeous bottles with him today… RIP, my friend, you were a legend in your own right, though I couldn’t see it then, I see it now. You always saw me bigger than I could see myself. Thank you. You made your mark, and I will carry a piece of you with me forever.
I haven’t been on Facebook in a long while. My heart hurts to see that my old friend Jay had passed. Our birthday’s were only a few days apart and we always called each other. I trained him at Petrossian. First, Garde manger, then the fish station. He was the light of the kitchen. A sponge. A great leader and friend. You will be so missed. I love you my dear Jay. Always ♥️
Jay was a kind and caring friend.
Will miss his jokes and just knowing him.
I pray he is with his son and he is now in peace.
Will miss you Jay.