Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Elfring

Yarmouth – Bernard “Bernie” Joseph Elfring, 84, of Yarmouth, died at home on Tuesday May 19, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born on September 22, 1930 in Astoria, Queens, New York, a son of Bernard A. and Catherine (Foley) Elfring. In 1953 he married Judith Ann Read, of Bayside, and together they had five children.

Bernie had a career as a lighting manufactures’ representative and was a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society for over 50 years. He was also a member of Maine JCI Senate (JCI Senator 4822) for over 50 years. Bernie was also interested in genealogy and through his marriage to Judy he was a Marriage & Parentage member of the Pilgrim John Howland Society. He was also a former assistant and head Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 35 in Yarmouth and a 45 year member of the Girl Scouts.

Bernie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith Ann Read Elfring; his five children: son B.L. Elfring and his wife Maureen and their son Michael; daughter Lee Elfring Connolly and her son Shawn and his wife Sarah and Lee’s step-son Jamie Connolly and family; daughter Ivy Elfring Lenihan and her daughters Megan and Kerry Lenihan; son Brian Elfring; daughter Andrea Elfring and partner Mr. Shannon Bachelder and Andrea’s children Grant, Read and Gage Thurston. He is also survived by brother John Elfring and his wife Betty of Tennessee and their children Marie, Nancy and John; brother-in-law Walter Read and his wife Pat of Illinois and their children Dennis, Kevin and Trish. He was predeceased by his parents and “favorite” son-in-law Jim Connolly.

A celebration of Bernie’s life will be held on Saturday June 27, 2015 from 1 – 3 pm at the family home, 365 North Road, Yarmouth, ME. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernie’s memory to: USCI Senate Scholarship Foundation, c/o Earl Sawyer, 747 Oak Hall Lane, Ballwin, MO 63021