YARMOUTH — Bernard “Bernie” Joseph Elfring, 84, of Yarmouth, died at home on May 19 after a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 22, 1930, in Queens, New York, a son of Bernard A. and Catherine (Foley) Elfring.

In 1953 he married Judith Ann Read, and together they raised five children.

Elfring worked in the lighting industry, serving as a manufacturer’s representative and as a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society for over 50 years.

He also was a member of community service organization Junior Chamber International’s Maine Senate for over 50 years, volunteered with the Girl Scouts for 45 years, and served as the scout master of Boy Scout Troop No. 35 in Yarmouth. In addition, Elfring was interested in genealogy and was a member of the Pilgrim John Howland Society.

Elfring was predeceased by his parents and his son-in-law, Jim Connolly.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judith Ann Read Elfring, and by his five children: son B.L. Elfring, wife Maureen and their son, Michael; daughter Lee Elfring Connolly, her stepson Jamie Connolly and family, and her son Shawn and his wife, Sarah; daughter Ivy Elfring Lenihan and her daughters, Megan and Kerry Lenihan; son Brian Elfring; and daughter Andrea Elfring, partner Shannon Bachelder and Andrea’s children, Grant, Read and Gage Thurston.

Elfring is also survived by his brother, John Elfring and wife Betty, of Tennessee, and their children, Marie, Nancy and John; and his brother-in-law, Walter Read and wife Pat, of Illinois, and their children, Dennis, Kevin and Trish.

A celebration of Elfring’s life will be held Saturday, June 27, from 1-3 p.m. at the family home, 365 North Road, Yarmouth.

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

Sidebar Elements

---

Elfring