Final Salute

Harry A. Jaeger, 89, of Henrico, Virginia passed away February 15, 2025 after suffering a sudden heart attack. He grew up in Bayonne, NJ, the youngest child of Harry and Lily (Clare) Jaeger. While working for an architect in Washington, DC, Harry met the love of his life, Shirley Clifford, and they married in her hometown of Rumford, Maine, in 1962. They would be married for 62 wonderful years. Anyone who spent time with them easily recognized their devotion to each other. They brought four beautiful children into the world, one of the proudest aspects of his life.

Harry would hold numerous and varied occupations throughout his life. Growing up on the shores of the Hudson Bay fostered a life-long love of being on the water and he joined the Navy right out of high school in 1955. He served served on active duty as an Engineman on Fleet Ocean-going Tugs. Trained as an engineer and draftsman, he had the chance to apply his skills as a Navy Reserve Seabee, retiring after 34 years as an Engineering Aid Senior Chief Petty Officer. Service to his country would become another aspect of his life he was most proud of. Early in his career as a civilian he was employed as County Engineer for Alleghany County, VA, which would bring his growing family to Covington, VA, where they would live for over 20 years. He worked for Virginia Power at the Bath County Pumped Storage Project and in 1986 transferred to Richmond to work on major construction projects.

Harry devoted a great deal of his life to volunteer service through numerous organizations and projects. He and his family dedicated considerable time during the late 1970s to the construction of a historical replica of Fort Young in Covington, VA. After time as a volunteer archeologist on a Gathright Dam area project in the 70s and 80s, he thoroughly enjoyed a position as Field Archaeologist leading James Madison University’s Field School at the site. He joined the Archeological Society of Virginia, in which he would be an active member for 50 years including tenure as State President, ultimately serving as caretaker for their Kittewan Plantation location. Harry was also a founding member of the Zuni/Tamaroa Foundation in support of a 10-year effort to restore the Naval Fleet Tug come Coast Guard Cutter (of “The Perfect Storm” fame). He was a long-time member of the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors, serving as president and storekeeper over many years. Harry’s current project was the design and construction of the Ship’s Bridge Project at the Virginia War Memorial, which will become an educational hands-on, life-sized mock-up of a bridge on a naval ship.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lily (Clare) Jaeger, sister and brother-in-law Jean and Louis Mendez, brother and sister-in-law Alfred “Buddy” and June Jaeger, sister Harriet Jaeger, sister and brother-in-law Miriam “Mimi” and Alan Craigue, and sister and brother-in-law Grace “Tiny” and James DiFrisco.

Harry is survived by his wife, Shirley, his sons and daughters and their spouses, Andrew (Janine McDonald) Jaeger, Maria (Allen) Crookshanks, Harry (Theodora) Jaeger, Leslie (Johann) Herzog, and Eric Davis; nine grandchildren, Lauren (Jamie Gannon) Davis, Cassandra (Kyle) Coia, Ethan Jaeger, Griffin Jaeger, Samuel Jaeger, Mallory Jaeger, Theodore Jaeger, Gwendolyn Herzog and Alfred Jaeger; five great-grandchildren, Gabriel Jaeger, Lucia Coia, Charlotte Jaeger, Gino Coia, and Antonio Coia, and many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Harry was a man of great faith. His devotion to God, family, country and passionate dedication to his work and volunteer endeavors defined him, both by his actions and words. He and Shirley would come to know and love countless people while working together to support these causes, many becoming lifelong friends. Among these special friends surviving Harry are Clinton Cressman, Rich Cunningham, Tom Dundon, Doug Garbini, Bill Leary, Joey Moldenhauer, Terry & Annette Price, Tom Robinson, Wayne Smith, John Soos and Randy Yardumian.

Special thanks to those who cared for Harry’s health these past decades, especially Dr. James Cook and Dr. Stanley Tucker, as well as the staff at Memorial Regional Hospital as of late.

Visitation will be held at Woody Funeral Home at 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA, on Monday, February 24, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 PM and again from 6:00-8:00 PM with a vigil prayer service held at 7:30. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond, on Tuesday, February 25 at 11:00 AM. A brief Ceremony will be held in the chapel before internment on Wednesday February 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Amelia Veteran’s Cemetery 10300 Pridesville Rd, Amelia Court House, VA 23002. No graveside visitation will be available until Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Harry’s name to the Virginia War Memorial for the benefit of the “Ship’s Bridge Project.” Please donate at www.vawarmemorial.org or call Ben King at 804-786-1661.

Rest easy Senior Chief; we have the watch.