In loving memory of John Stanley Shaffer who sadly passed away on 2nd July 2020
For anyone not able to make it on the day, there is a weblink so you can watch on-line, details below...
Service order for
John Stanley Shaffer
Service Date - 07-Aug-20 at 3:15
Service Chapel - Crematorium - Honor Oak
Website - https://www.obitus.com/
You can login to the website below, at any time to view a test connection (and we strongly recommend you do this) but you'll only be able to view the Live Webcast approx. 5 mins before the service start time.
Username - Puma3737
Password - 073896
Webcast: Live Webcast & Watch Again
Some lovely tributes for my dad...
From Russell Bolam (who directed my dad's play, The Monkey)
I was heartbroken to learn of John's passing. We all had such a ball on The Monkey – that was down to John's inspired text and his fun, generous presence in the room. His words, almost Bermondsey baroque, were a treat to the ear and a delight to stage. Sending love and light to his family and friends.
Russell x
From Esther (Baker), Synergy's Artistic Director and on behalf of everyone at Synergy.
An acting life is a strange old life at times. Very occasionally you get to be part of special projects and to meet special people and my experience with John was just that. Playing Terry in John's play 'The Monkey' was a career highlight for me. It was such an honour. It was such a joy to spend time with John and work our way through his play together. We would laugh and laugh and he would help me find the way to explore and express his words and the character he had created. His dialogue was incredible and occasionally I still find myself laughing when I think about the mad world in Bermondsey that he shone a light on. Characters struggling with addiction but surviving with humour. John gave characters who would rarely be seen on a stage a moment. He took us into world of a group of lost addicts who were doing all they could to put their worlds back together. Even if they didn't quite manage it. I always remember him drinking some sort of chocolate milkshake and chuckling in the auditorium. I would have a smoke with him after the play and we'd often laugh about the night's performance. Me and him then went on to try and turn it into a screenplay. We didn't quite manage it in time. But who knows? Perhaps I will at some point and it will be thanks to John. We spoke over emails and texts lots over the last few years and I was greatly saddened to hear of his passing. John, you are missed. You mattered. I will cherish the fact that I got to experience a great part of my life with you. Your words live on. Rest easy mate.
Morgan Watkins July 2020
I worked with John over a period of nine months and know him first and foremost as a writer. In one session he wrote a monologue based on his experiences in hospital which he thought was rubbish and boring but everyone in the group found searing. I don’t remember John ever smiling insincerely, which meant when he did become excited - by an idea, or a play he’d read - it was really impactful. One memorable day I spent with him saw a group of actors read a new play of his. Like a lot of writers, he got a real buzz out of hearing them bring his words to life. He was courteous, curious and content.
Chris White July 2020 (a director who worked with my dad)
"Some years ago, when John's dog Boppo was still with us, Fran and I offered to take him for a walk from Cut & Clipper. John had said that many have tried and Boppo just won't leave the shop with anyone. However, I'd built up a bit of a connection with Boppo and assured John that all would be fine. We started well, and Boppo trotted out with Fran and I and crossed the road with us. And then he stopped and wouldn't budge. John was standing in the window laughing and after several minutes of encouraging Boppo, we gave up and took him back! John and I probably talked about dogs as much as we did humans and I'll hugely miss our chats and him always asking after Fran and our own dog, Charlie. Rest in Peace my friend. Andy x"
As with all great friendships, I met your dad purely by accident and we hit it off immediately. I was working at the CIEH on Hatfields and used to explore the Cut at lunchtime looking for a bite to eat. One day around 2004 I popped into his barber's for a trim and your dad (rather than his brother) cut my hair. From the get-go he was really inquisitive, open-minded and incredibly friendly with a sharp wit to boot. I knew he would get on really well with my friends Tony and Hayden so invited him out to join us on weekend nights out. We spent many happy times at the Tapestry Friday nights at the St Aloysius church's working men's club, playing pool and putting the world to right. Your dad told me a lot about the local history of the area and introduced me to the South American festival that ran from Elephant & Castle down to Burgess Park. When I was made redundant from CIEH in 2010, we kept in touch and I always tried to pop in and see him in the barber's when I was in London but it wasn't until the mid-2010s when I got another job back on the South Bank not far from Hatfields that I was able to revive our regular nights out. My girlfriend Emma and I went to the performance of his play at the Battersea Theatre and both were impressed with his achievements. He was a superb writer and I know found much happiness working on this project. I could probably count my closest friends in my life on both hands and John would have been one of them. Whenever I'd had a shit day and was tired and stressed, five minutes in his company ranting about it all and taking the piss out of life and I would feel like a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. He was a truly great man and I will miss him deeply. RIP John.
Nick
PS Forgot to add, he used to make me these amazing cinnamon balls for me. They were delicious
I can’t say that I knew him very well, but having met him through Nick we ended up having many great nights together. He was one of those people with whom I hit it off easily. He was kind, funny, interested in other people and had a wonderful, mellifluous voice. I often told him he should become a DJ.
When he started writing plays he would send early drafts to me to read over as he knew I was into theatre. I really enjoyed his work and was delighted for the recognition he received.
I’m glad to have known your Dad.
All the best,
Tony
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