Obituary of Frank Eifler
Frank Edward Eifler, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, age 77, of Perth-Andover, NB, passed away peacefully with family by his side on September 15, 2023 in the Valley Hospice Kentville.
Frank was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, and grew up in the Mattapan neighbourhood. He had many stories of growing up in Boston and attending Boston English High, that his family loved to hear over and over. His best friend, Bob Watts, who was considered more of a brother since grade 3, was his sidekick in many of these stories. Frank was grateful for all the times spent with his wife, Janelle, and Bob and his wife Claire, travelling and spending time together.
Frank left Boston after graduating high school, and ventured to Houlton, Maine, USA, to attend Ricker College where he majored in History and Education. At Ricker he made many lifelong friends, and was a member of the Pi Gamma Delta fraternity.
Frank was a teacher who started his career in Newfoundland, then Maine, USA, to teach in Fort Kent, then in Plater Rock, NB, and retired in Perth-Andover, NB, after teaching at Southern Victoria High School for 23 years. In every school he taught, he also coached basketball. He loved sharing his love of basketball, and was proud of the two Provincial banners his SVHS Senior Girls team won back-to-back.
Frank and Janelle, spent 21 winters golfing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA. They made special friends there, who became family away from home, Roger and Flo Clark.
Frank enjoyed golfing at Aroostook Valley Country Club in Fort Fiairfield, Maine, USA; reading; watching football religiously (Go Patriots!); Div 1 March Madness basketball; and travelling with Janelle.
Adrie and Ryland were his pride and joy, and he was their special “Pooh” bear. He gave them great hugs, advice, support, and encouragement. He passed on his love of playing basketball and golf to them.
Frank cherished his little family. Times spent together by their swimming pool, on a golf course, in Berwick for holidays, and Myrtle Beach were ones he looked forward to. His go to for trusted information was his son-in-law Matt. Frank had a great sense of humour and appreciated wit, Matt could always get a good hearty laugh out of Frank.
Frank is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janelle Eifler (Jalbert); his only child, a daughter, Dominic (Matthew) Eifler-Cameron; his two grandchildren, Adrie (23) and Ryland (18); his brother-in-law, Rino (Anne) Jalbert; his sister-in-law, Mona Lavoie; and his niece and nephews, Julie Jalbert, Luc Jalbert, and Marc Lavoie.
In keeping with Frank’s wishes there will be no funeral or memorial service. Cremation has taken place and a private family gathering, with the spreading of his ashes, will take place at Thanksgiving, when his grandchildren are home from university. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4R 1B9 (902-679-2822).
