It is with much love and fond memories that we announce the passing of Abel Earl Briffett on November, 8, 2024 at Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital at the age of 80 years old. Abel passed peacefully away in the arms of his beloved wife, Phyllis.
The eldest son of 9 children (predeceased by sisters Lorraine Feltham and Phyllis Dyke and brother Kevin), Abel was born to Earl and Gladys Briffett in Glovertown, NL on April 2, 1944. Abel fondly remembered his childhood days and often recounted stories of his childhood antics and the time spent working side-by-side with his mother while his father was working away. When he wasn’t in school, you would find Abel out da’bay with his grub box, setting salmon nets, digging potatoes, trading seal skins for 10 cents, lugging capelin, shearing sheep, bird hunting, and days spent moose hunting by foot up the Terra Nova River to Mollyguajeck with his father, his dog, a bag of flour, baking powder, tea and sugar. This is where he developed his strong work ethic, his strong sense of family, his love for the outdoors and the source of his many tales. His grandchildren would often ask, “Pop, were you born in the 1800’s”?
Abel and Phyllis married in 1968 and started a life together that was filled with many years of love, adventures and cherished memories. Abel’s career in Human Resources and Accounting brought them to Toronto where they started their family and finally to Clarenville to settle in 1975, where they raised their family and became important members of the community.
Abel was a wonderful man who held a special place in many hearts. Always willing to lend a helping hand, provide a humorous quip and share a story, Abel will be missed by all that knew him. His generosity, strength, wit, cleverness, and story-telling ability touched many and he will be forever remembered with fondness and love.
Abel loved to work with his hands and spent many hours in his workshop building chairs, boats, doll houses and even diving boards. He also enjoyed working on the small, but important, woodworking projects with his children and grandchildren for many school and scout projects. Abel most enjoyed working with his sons on the seemingly never-ending number of projects and tasks that they had and often joked that he wasn’t working on their lists anymore! There were many recipients, young and old, of the numerous capelin cast nets that Abel knit, some even lucky enough to have their name woven in their net. Abel also had a special knack for sharpening knives, and he sharpened many fillet and hunting knives over his years. He was very particular about his sharpening stones and was very methodical and focused on this process. You knew that Abel was sharpening knives when there was a patch of hair missing from his arm, that was his sharpness test.
Abel loved spending time in the outdoors and took much pleasure in sharing these experiences with family and friends, particularly with his brothers, and his children and their families. Many wonderful times were spent trouting, hunting, rabbit-catching, berry-picking, boating, fishing, sea-trouting, smelting, snowmobiling and on quad and side-by-side rides. Of course, there was always a story and/or history lesson to accompany these outings. There were many failed attempts at trying to learn where his secret trouting spots were, he would never give those up and they still remain a secret between him and his brother Dick!
Abel always enjoyed a meal of everything caught from the woods or the water, sometimes to Phyllis’ chagrin! He would sit down to a large moose fry or a plate of his smoked capelin and would only stop to say “that’s some good” until the plate was clean. Growing up, he learned the old adage of waste not, want not and he would sit down and devour everything from cod britches to all of that lobster stuff! His real specialty in the kitchen though was an “Abel Breakfast” and there were many requests for those and special Christmas morning reindeer pancakes.
Abel and Phyllis thoroughly enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Maccles and made many wonderful memories there with family and friends. There were many trouting trips, visits back and forth with the neighbours, family Thanksgiving dinners, lots of evenings with laughs (and some scotch!) and even an appearance by Gladys!
Their cabin at Maccles could actually be considered a museum of Newfoundland artifacts. Abel had a passion for antiques from old Newfoundland life and for family history (including his French ancestry, which became more prominent over whisky!). Abel photographed many antiques and documented the history and story of how they were a part of his life growing up in rural Newfoundland so that this could be passed down to future generations. He did not want that history to be lost. A decade of Newfoundland staycations with Phyllis and his brother Dick and sister-in-law Angella brought them to many antique shops looking for oil lamps with many road-side lunches and a cup of tea on the tailgate.
Abel will be remembered for all the heart that he shared with family and friends. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, friend and mentor to many. He loved his family and would make a point to tell them that he loved them, with a hug, a phone call, or a daily text from his flip phone. Abel was most proud of his children’s, and especially his grandchildren’s, accomplishments and could rarely speak of them without a tear coming to his eye. He loved watching their hockey games, musical performances and any other activity that they participated in. Nothing made him happier than knowing that they were succeeding with their educations and that many opportunities lay ahead of them. Their achievements and presence surrounded him with love and provided him much comfort in his final days. Abel looked around him and remarked “Wow, so much love”.
Abel will be forever cherished and missed by his loving wife Phyllis of 56 years, sons and daughters-in law, Michael and Allison, and Jeffrey and Tina, grandchildren, Matthew, Justin (Kennedy), Abby and Liam, siblings and their spouses, Cliff and Marion, Gerald, Eileen and Gerard Morrissey, Dick and Angella, and Doreen and Roy Blackwood, sisters-in-law Shirley Collins and her husband Percy, and Marg Roach, many adored nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, extended family from NL to Germany, and a wide circle of dear friends, colleagues and neighbours.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Sunshine Supportive Care Rooms at the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care and for providing a space for the family to spend our most precious final days together, cancer patient navigator Bonnie Doyle for all her guidance and support throughout this year, practitioner Marie-Josee Brown for her expertise and support, and all our family and friends for their support and companionship during this most difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Daffodil Place, a home away from home for patients and their loved ones who must travel for cancer treatments (https://cancer.ca/en/living-with-cancer/how-we-can-help/accommodation).
Visitation will be held at Fewer’s Funeral Home, Clarenville on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 from 3-7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Fewer’s Memorial Chapel, Clarenville on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 at 1 p.m. with interment to follow at Clarenville Interdenominational Cemetery.
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Wendy and Keith Thorne says
November 9, 2024 at 5:06 pmPhyllis, we were saddened to hear the news of Abel’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Roy and Dianne Bonnell says
November 9, 2024 at 6:34 pmPhyllis and family, our condolences to you on Abel’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Cherish the memories, and we’re sure there are many. Take care.
Marilyn and Gerard Greene says
November 10, 2024 at 1:21 pmSo very very sorry Phylis’s and family for your loss . Thinking of you at this difficult time .. hugs to everyone who loved him ❤️
Christine and Ted Hussey says
November 9, 2024 at 6:54 pmPhyllis and family….I was so saddened by Abel’s passing. We worked together for many, many years at the Refinery. I had so much respect for Abel through his positive work ethic. Eventhough he was an atrocious hand writer , I always managed to know what he meant. Our paths hadn’t crossed in a few years, but I will remember him with highest esteem . Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Betty and Warren says
November 9, 2024 at 8:15 pmSincere condolences to you, Phyllis, and all your family.
Norma jones says
November 9, 2024 at 8:47 pmPhyllis and family, I was saddened to hear of Abel’s passing. He was a wonderful man. Deepest condolences to you all. Norma Jones
Sharon and Evan Whiteway says
November 10, 2024 at 12:42 amPhyllis and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. We are thinking of you and if we were in Newfoundland, we would visit and personally let you know how much we care. May all the wonderful memories of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend sustain you and give you some measure of comfort at this time.
Aus & Carol Adams says
November 10, 2024 at 10:08 amSo sorry to hear of Abel’s passing. We have good memories of past years. Condolences to all the families. He was a wonderful man. ❤️
Agnes says
November 10, 2024 at 5:27 pmPhyllis & extended family, we were so very sorry to hear that Abel has passed away. Although we haven’t seen you in years, we do still hold dear our memories of our trip to Maccles & Wolf Island & our boat trip to St. Brendan’s. We always seemed to connect during the summer food fishery.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. May all your wonderful memories help sustain you during this difficult time.
May Abel’s gentle soul Rest In Peace.
Gordon & Agnes Croke
Leo and Marion Bonnell says
November 10, 2024 at 6:12 pmPhyllis and families: We were saddened to learn of Abel’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Barbara Barbour says
November 10, 2024 at 6:24 pmPhyllis and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Abel, thinking about you and keeping you in thoughts and prayers.
Sherry Russell says
November 10, 2024 at 6:28 pmPhyllis, Michael, Jeffrey and families,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your loving husband, dad and granddad. Abel will be fondly remembered as a respected member of our community.
Frazer and Sherry Russell
Gloria Pinsent says
November 10, 2024 at 9:05 pmSo sorry to hear of Abel’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and your family!
Jacqueline & Harold Crewe says
November 10, 2024 at 10:46 pmPhyllis , so sorry to hear of Abel’s passing . We have a lot of good memories of Abel that we often speak off . Thinking of you and your family at this most difficult time .
Harold and Jackie
Fred Hicks says
November 11, 2024 at 8:41 amMy deepest condolences to Phyllis and the family. I knew Abel through my brother Ben who was his next door neighbour. In my early years, I moose hunted with Ben and Abel. Those moose trips were great fun, with Abel telling great stories. Abel was a true gentleman with a quiet wit that filled a room. I am truly blessed to have known him..
Walter and June Butler says
November 11, 2024 at 11:10 amPhyllis and Family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family, Phyllis on the passing of Abel. May treasured memories be a source of consolation to you in your time of grief and May he Rest in Peace.
Eric and Sherry Carter says
November 11, 2024 at 4:31 pmWe were saddened to hear of Abels passing.He was a lovely man.I fondly remember our chats most certainly politics and nature’s wonders .I remember when he sharpened my ice auger blades many years ago .He had them individually wrapped in brown paper which I still have .Deepest condolences to all.Rest easy Abel.Eric and Sherry Carter Clarenville
Patricia Oldford says
November 11, 2024 at 7:50 pmTo Phyllis ,Mike ,Jeff and families. We were all saddened to hear of Abel’s passing. Thinking of you and sending our deepest sympathy at this sad time. Keep your memories close . Hugs to all. Patsy and Albert Oldford.
Bill Foote says
November 11, 2024 at 10:50 pmSo sorry to hear of Mr. Briffetts passing. He was always wearing a smile and up for a chat at the rink as the boys were growing up. Condolences to Mike, Justin and Matthew and the whole Briffett family.
Marion Stanley says
November 12, 2024 at 10:43 amJust heard the sad news of Abel’s passing. He was one of the few left who knew the true meaning of a life well lived. Condolences to Phyllis & family.
Elim & Marion Stanley
Phil Stemler says
November 12, 2024 at 10:51 amMIke, Allison and the Briffet family
Lauren and I would like to pass along our deepest condolences on the passing of Abel.
Kim Hunt says
November 12, 2024 at 12:47 pmCondolences to you Phylis, Micheal and Jeffery and family for your loss! My fondest memory of Abel was when he brought me to parallel park at the high school, he sat in the passengers seat opened the glove box and showed me the deed to his car! Always chuckle about it! He will be greatly missed!
Myra Keats says
November 12, 2024 at 1:27 pmMike and families. Both Wayne and I are very sorry for the loss of your father. Cherish his memories forever. May he Rest in Peace.
Myra & Wayne Keats
Allan and Debbie says
November 12, 2024 at 2:54 pmMike and Family; we are so very sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. Please know that our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Cherish the good memories forever!
Glenn Sullivan says
November 12, 2024 at 3:33 pmPhyllis, Mike, & Jeff – my condolences to you and your families. I have many fond childhood memories of Abel – he was always welcoming, with a gentle smile and kind words. Take care.
Raymond & Lima Derouet says
November 12, 2024 at 5:51 pmMike , Allison and Liam ,
So sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences to you and all your family. Thinking of you.
Memories never fade!
Raymond and Lima
Donna Martin says
November 14, 2024 at 12:48 pmPhyllis and family, sorry to hear of Abel’s passing. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Ross and Donna Martin.
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