Henry Joseph Schaefer known as “Joe” was born December 21st, 1940, at St. Francis Hospital in Miami Beach, Florida. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 29th, 2023, at his home in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

He is predeceased by his parents, Henry Joseph Schaefer of New York and Dorothy Claire Smith of Tennessee. Joe’s early years were in Miami Beach and then the family moved to North Miami. Joe loved his Granny Smith who spoiled him, as he was an only child. All of the children in the neighborhood would go to Joe’s house because he had the latest sports equipment for them to play with. One of Joe’s chores was to cut the grass so when some of his friends came over to play, he would talk one of them into cutting the grass. He was quite enterprising even as a child.

Joe attended high school at North Miami High when the quality of education was superior. He had reconnected to many of his high school friends through Facebook and attended a reunion in the last few years.

He attended the University of Florida and then began working at AT&T in Downtown Miami in 1961. He got married to Dora in 1963. Joe attended night school at the University of Miami while working with the company. Southern Bell paid for each of his classes, and he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

His sons, Joey and Greg were born in 1968 and 1971 respectively. The family moved from Miramar to Cooper City.

Joe continued working at Southern Bell and was promoted to a 2nd level manager in Electrical Engineering. He worked with AT&T, Southern Bell, and BellSouth during his long career.

In 1975 Joe joined the Cooper City Optimist Club. He spearheaded the drive for city playing fields. Joe worked with the City and Broward County to get permission to build fields at Pioneer Middle School. He also got funds to sod the field in order to qualify and be a part of an organized sports facility in Broward County. Volunteers came out and the field was built; it is still in play. Joe was named a Lifetime Distinguished President of Optimist Club International.

In 1979, Joe became the mayor of Cooper City, running on a platform of making the city beneficial for children, including his own, and changing the form of government to City Manager. The City Government became what it is today.

Joe met Melissa in 1985 through the Telephone Pioneers of America, a volunteer organization helping the community. Joe volunteered to raise funds for a local charity at a Bike-a-thon, by riding miles for dollars. After 6 months of dating, Joe and Melissa were married on December 21, 1985. They married on his birthday so he would never forget their anniversary.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Melissa, his children Joe Schaefer (Jennifer), Fort Lauderdale, FL; Greg Schaefer (Germaine) Alexandria, VA; his grandchildren: Nick, Kate, and Autumn. His brother-in-law, Tom Caskey (Haydee), Miami, FL; nephew Tommy Caskey. His ex-wife, Dora, Cooper City, FL, and many other friends.

He will be missed by Thelma, a loyal Scottish Terrier, who adored him.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Literacy Volunteers of Collier County
8833 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34113

Visitation to be held on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, with Funeral Service at 11:00 AM at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.

Followed by Graveside Service at Southern Memorial Park, North Miami Florida.