Douglas A. Haeffner

Please consider making a donation in honor of Douglas to the charity shown below.  You can contact Jamie Bowden 631-702-2424 if you do not wish to place donation through the online link.

On Monday, March 13, 2023, Douglas Allan Haeffner passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, a month shy of his 91st birthday. Douglas is survived by his loving wife, Jeanne Arlene Haeffner (nee Waas), his adoring children, son Jeffrey, his wife Denise and daughter Kimberly, his grandchildren Jennifer Mercurio and husband Peter, Nicole Mahoney and husband Colin, Lauren, Steven, Allison and Amanda. He was also blessed with his great grandchildren Joseph, Samantha, Ava, Katelyn, Coleson, Emersyn and Harmony. Douglas was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Caroline and his son, Gregory.
Douglas was born in Orangeburg, New York on April 23rd, 1932, to his parents Theodore and Gladys (nee Tripp) Haeffner. He graduated from Port Jefferson High School in 1949, and Packard Junior College in 1952, after which he wed his high school sweetheart, Jeanne Arlene Waas on November 22nd, 1952.
Doug served proudly in the United States Air Force, stationed at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, New York from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1954. He received the National Defense Service Medal, having served during the Korean War.
After his military service, Doug began his long, successful career in banking. He served in various roles at Security National Bank from 1955 to 1965, leaving as their Branch Manager in the Rocky Point branch to assume the position of Vice President, Branch Manager for Marine Midland/Tinker National Bank. He held this position at branches in Rocky Point, Port Jefferson and East Setauket from 1965 until 1981. He assumed the role of Vice President for Long Island District Administration until his retirement in 1993.
After his retirement, Doug kept busy serving as the Senior Dock Master for the Town of Brookhaven Department of Parks and Recreation, and serving as an Election Inspector for the Suffolk Board of Elections, Rocky Point School, Fire and Library districts.
Doug was also a proud member of several community civic associations. He was a member of the Rocky Point Lions Club beginning in 1960, having served as Club President, Suffolk District Zone Chairman, and Suffolk Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer.
But Doug was most proud of his involvement with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was the last surviving charter member of the Port Jefferson Lodge from 1959 until his passing, serving as the Lodge secretary for 56 years. His wife Jeanne often referred to the Elks as his second wife!
Doug was a long time Met fan, having converted when the Giants moved to San Francisco. He enjoyed watching games on TV, and going to games with his family and friends, sometimes having lunch before the games in the Diamond Club at Shea Stadium. He was able to get to some of the final games at Shea, and one of the inaugural games at Citi Field.
Doug loved gathering with family and friends for holidays, family celebrations, or just an impromptu barbeque by the pool. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and could light up a room when he entered declaring “It’s like the Gobi Desert in here!” He never missed taking a chance at the odds for the weekly lottery drawings at the local smoke shop (even though he didn’t smoke), and with a good heart, he was always eager to buy a raffle for a local charity. Doug will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all that knew him.