Obituary of Harry Milford Eisenhauer
Saddened, but grateful for a life fully lived, the family of Harry Milford Eisenhauer announces his passing on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at his home. Born in Lunenburg, NS on September 18, 1938, he was the eldest son of the late Philip Maeder and Bertha Florence (née Croft) Eisenhauer of Mahone Bay, NS.
Harry’s life was filled with; service to his country, adventure, love and a delightful sense of humour, passion for his music; the Canadian Navy, and his hobbies of Philately and Numismatics; personal and professional international travel; and the ultimate privilege of playing music for a living. He truly enjoyed people and conversation, nature and an ocean view and appreciated history and geography as a result of his collecting hobbies. He particularly enjoyed a good meal, a quick pun, and revisiting favourite places. Harry was a loving and supportive person to his wife, family members and many friends and will be greatly missed.
As a young boy, Harry developed a passion for playing the piano, and his teenage goal was to become a professional musician, although he had no idea how that would be accomplished. When his father was employed in Halifax, Harry then had the opportunity to join the Halifax City Youth Band as a trombone player. He had special memories of recess time at the school in Mahone Bay, where he would play the piano and accept requests from his classmates.
Harry was a graduate of the Royal Canadian Navy School of Music (HMCS Naden) in 1958 and served as a professional musician in the Canadian Armed Forces Bands for 31 years playing both the clarinet and piano, retiring in 1987 with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. He served in the Naval Bands of HMCS Naden, HMCS Stadacona, HMCS Shearwater and HMCS Cornwallis; and while on detached duty with the Shearwater Band in the early 1960’s, he served as a musician on the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure and the supply ship HMCS Cape Scott. Upon integration of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968 Harry was posted to the Band of the Royal Canadian Regiment in London, ON; and served in that Band for 19 years until his retirement from CFB Gagetown.
Harry was a prominent and internationally-known Numismatist, recognized as one of Canada’s leading Paper Money collectors. Beginning in 1947 at the age of nine when his father introduced him to Philately, Harry became fascinated with the beautiful engravings on many of Canada’s early stamps, in particular the 1929 fifty cent issue depicting the schooner Bluenose, which was built in his birthplace of Lunenburg. In 1968 this fascination quickly attracted him to the collecting of Canada’s Paper Currency, and his involvement in the hobby brought him tremendous joy, excitement, and satisfaction throughout his life. He was extremely knowledgeable, and had a photographic memory for banknotes. He was consistently supportive of fellow collectors, always encouraging others to become involved, especially young people; and he was as excited for friends who acquired a special note, as he was when successful himself. He really relished learning the provenance of these notes, and sharing of this early Canadian history.
When serving in London, ON in 1968, Harry joined the Canadian Numismatic Association, the Ontario Numismatic Association (Life Member #19) and the Canadian Paper Money Society (Life Member #16) in 1969, the Ingersoll, ON Coin Club (Life Member #4), and in 1973 he became a member of the International Bank Note Society. During his lifetime, Harry held a number of positions within various numismatic organizations: Founding President of Fredericton Numismatic Society (1971); Executive Director for Membership of Canadian Paper Money Society (1971); First Vice President of Canadian Paper Money Society (1971 to 1975); President of the Atlantic Provinces Numismatic Association (1972 to 1978) and Life Member #1; President of Canadian Paper Money Society (1975 to 1978) and the Atlantic Regional Director of Canadian Paper Money Society for a number of years.
In recognition of his contributions to the hobby over the years, as an executive member, guest speaker, financial supporter, and researcher, Harry was honoured to receive a number of accolades: Dale Garland Award (1973) for the advancement of numismatics in Atlantic Canada; Honourary Member #1 of Ingersoll, ON Coin Club; Honourary Life Member # 2 of the Halifax Regional Coin Club (2004); and Honourary Life Member of Prince Edward Island Numismatic Association (2007). For many years Harry served on the Panel of Contributors, both for research and market pricing, to the Charlton Paper Money Catalogue, recognized as a leading reference in the field.
Harry worked extremely hard to ensure that Canada’s rare surviving banknotes would be recorded. Harry and his friend Bob Graham both invested thousands of hours over a period of thirty years to the research and compilation of these Registers, which have been donated for publication in the Canadian Paper Money Society Note Registry. While the process continues, several of Harry’s registers have already been published in the First Edition 2009 and others were jointly developed with fellow numismatists. Harry’s legacy with these registers of banknotes is that they will be available for present and future generations of collectors, researchers, historians and dealers.
Harry was a Life Member of the Saint John Stamp Club; a founding patron of the J. Douglas Ferguson Foundation in 1971; a patron of the Farmers Bank of Rustico Museum of South Rustico, PEI; and a supporter of the Queens County Museum, Liverpool, NS. Harry was a Lutheran by faith, a member of Hiram Lodge #6, a member of Scottish Rites, and a member of Luxor Shriners.
Harry was dearly loved by his devoted wife Linda (née Simpson) Eisenhauer of 39 years. He is also survived by son Harry (Gerene) of Bouctouche, NB; daughter Mary Ann Sutherland (John) and their children: Uriah, Arrel, Jayde, Selena, JaNiece and David of Hoschton, GA; brother Kerry (Belinda) of Big Lots, NS, sister Catherine (Alan) MacNeil of Dartmouth, NS, dear in-laws: Barbara Hurley, Rex Hurley (Amanda), Kimberley Hurley (Harley) and their families of Saint John, NB, Elwood (Jacqueline) and James Simpson of Halifax, NS, Wayne Simpson (Theresa) of Maple Ridge, BC, Johnathan Simpson of Vernon BC; as well as several great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family. In addition to his parents, Harry was predeceased by his sister, Winnifred and brother-in-law, Baxter Hurley and parents-in-law, Earl and Jennie Simpson.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the following people for treating Harry with such compassion and respect: Dr. Graham MacNeil, Shelly Martin, Dr. Sean Dolan, Karen Kearney RN, Dr. Terrance Comeau, Dr. Geoff Cook, Connie Dunnet OT, Marshall Bourque PT, Dr. Stephen Johnson, Chris Cassidy and Ann LeBlanc, RNs with Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Wanda Richard, Tango Medical, Ann Spencer with Rehab Lawton’s West and the entire staff of Lawton’s Pharmacy McAllister Mall who all provided important services.
A special note of appreciation to Bob Graham, Avis and Hugh Faulkner, Karen and Bernie Byers, Susan and Gerry Keith, Pat Alexander, Heather Johnston, Brandie Allen RN and Brenan’s Staff, Courtney Lapp, Sharlene MacDonald and Holly Reid and our exceptional caregivers Jane Smith and Amanda Daigle, along with the immediate family.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). At Harry’s request there will be no visitation or funeral service. Following cremation, a private interment will take place at Bayview (Heritage) Cemetery in Mahone Bay, NS at a later date. For those who wish to make a memorial tribute in Harry’s memory, please consider a donation to the Bayview Cemetery Account c/o Town of Mahone Bay, PO Box 530, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 (902-624-8327)
