Michael Schaffer

SCHAFFER, Michael, 52, of Brighton, MA, and formerly of Berlin, Germany, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home on November 10, 2021. Beloved son of Evelyn (Baumann) Schaffer of Berlin, Germany, and the late Heinrich Schaffer, dear brother of Oliver Schaffer and uncle to Leon Schaffer, both of Freiberg, Germany. The longtime partner of Grace “Trish” Hehir of Brighton, MA.

Michael was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, and exhibited a love for music at an early age.  His interest in music eventually brought him to the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar in Thüringen, Germany, where he studied music for four years.  Michael subsequently played the double bass with several orchestras at many venues across Europe, including the Berliner Philharmonie. 

Michael switched his career after several years to cinema engineering, another of his passions since his youth when he worked as a projectionist at a movie house near his home.  Opportunities arose, and his career in cinema engineering took off.  He worked for several large movie theatres in Berlin until a chance opportunity he could not turn down enticed him to California in 2003.  Michael worked as the director of engineering for a large movie theatre chain in San Diego County.  After five years in California, he could not turn away another work opportunity that took him this time to the east coast.  Michael joined Boston Light & Sound, Inc. (BLSI) in 2008, a challenging and rewarding career and it was here with the BLSI family, his loving relationship, and friends that he made a home for the next thirteen years.  Michael had many interests outside music and cinema, including history, etymology, politics, literature, travel, drone-flying, and cooking. 

Those who knew Michael best will remember him as a devoted son and partner.  He was honest, direct, and above all, an intellectual.  He loved to converse on so many topics and he took the time to share his knowledge and thoughts with those around him. He was truly one of a kind. 

Visiting in the Lehman, Reen, & McNamara Funeral Home, 63 Chestnut Hill Ave., Brighton, on Monday, November 22 at 4:00 pm. Followed by a Memorial Service at 5:30 pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael may be made to a charity of your choice.

To livestream the service, please go to: https://vimeo.com/event/1546410/db822cac03

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