On August 9, 2021, Robert Anthony Eleniefsky “Captain Hokey Pokey” passed away peacefully after a brief illness with his children by his side.
He was born in New Bedford in 1940. He attended Catholic school as a child. He attended Fairhaven High School until the call of the sea was too strong to resist. As a young man he fished commercially with his father and brothers. The love of the sea and the bounty it could provide for his family lead him to own and captain his own fishing boats. He was a mentor to many younger fishermen. Always quick to put them on the “hot spot” or help them out with his revered skills with a twine needle. He was truly happy to be sitting at the wheel of the F/V FOUR KIDS talking on the VHF with his buddies in his own salty dialogue that few landlovers would even understand. The FCC is probably still looking for him. If you ever got to hear the “Hokey Pokey” in his natural element you were no doubt entertained. He amused more than a few nurses in his last days with stories about when a shark bit him while Tuna fishing.
Off the water Bob loved going to country fairs or sneaking off to the casino with his wife of over 50 years, Evelyn, who spent many years at sea alongside him. He loved animals including horses of which he brought home several over the years. Weekly dinners with his kids and grandkids brought him true joy. Bob was a man with a giant heart.
He is survived by his three children, daughter, Debra Stoltz and her husband Gary Stoltz, of Cooper City Florida, daughter, Paula Eleniefsky, of Marion and son, Gary Eleniefsky, of Rochester, as well as his two grandchildren, Jacob and Josephine Eleniefsky.
He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn J. Eleniefsky, his parents Peter and Mary Perry Eleniefsky, and his brothers Peter Elen and Anthony Eleniefsky.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.