It is with much sadness that the family of Elliott Ehler announces his passing at home in Whitehead, Nova Scotia on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

From his birth on June 16, 1947 to his final day, Elliott’s home was in Whitehead, Nova Scotia, steps away from the ocean. He loved the sea and spent almost 10 years doing survey work on the ships CSS Kapuskasing sailing the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and CSS Baffin sailing the West Indies.  As much as he enjoyed that experience (and those trips were the source of many great stories!), he knew spending that much time away from his young family was not for him. After his time at sea, his remaining working years were spent in the marine and production departments at the Fish Plant in Canso.

Elliott retired in 2008, and thoroughly enjoyed life in his beloved Whitehead in the succeeding years. Elliott said the biggest impacts on his life were family, friends, and living in a small, quiet place, and as long as he had those things, he would be happy. Elliott certainly lived his best life.

He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and spending time with friends and family. Dropping in to visit Elliott, you knew to try the garage before the house. Guests in Elliott’s garage heard many tales told (some of them even true)… and as the rum level in the bottle decreased, the size of the fish increased.

Elliott’s garage was also the production facility for thousands of incredible handmade crafts over the years. If you picked one out to purchase, you would likely leave with several, and every dollar still in your wallet. If you were a child, Elliott and his workshop were the source of hours and hours of fun and imagination.

Elliott will live on through his crafts that grace the many, many Christmas trees, houses, and lawns in Nova Scotia and beyond… and throughout the legacy of love and commitment to service he leaves behind in his sons, Glen and Adam, and their families. 

He is survived by his treasured wife of 54 years, Shirley Ehler (nee Roberts), sons, Glen (Melinda) and Adam (Brigitte); granddaughters, Elara and Elish; brother, Wayne (Betty), and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Thelma (nee Porter), and his brothers, Jim and Charles.

A service in Elliott’s memory will be held in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Whitehead on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11 a.m. with Lewis MacIntosh officiating. A reception will follow in the Whitehead Community Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Whitehead would be welcomed.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 780 Lower Whitehead, NS, B0H 1T0, c/o Shirley Ehler

Funeral arrangements are under the dignified and compassionate care of G.W. Giffin Funeral Home.