Frederick Hoiler Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Raymond Funeral Service PA - La Plata on Oct. 14, 2025.
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Frederick Jeffery Hoiler, better known as Jeff, was affectionately known by several other names: Jake, Jethro, Jeffie, Dad, Papster, Bro, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Grump, Uncle Buck and Captain to name a few. "There were other names not suitable for this publication." Fred and Dorothy's precious baby boy came to be at 1:20am on January 23, 1947, at Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, weighing 7 pounds and 4 ounces, 22" long, their room was 117 (I found the announcement.) He lived in Philly long enough to reach school age and get hooked on cheesesteaks. At that time, he and his stuffed friend "Baabet the Rabbit" moved to the city of brotherly love. He took that to heart and became a "brother" to Janice Cuneo (his only sibling) in 1951. Jeff would tell of wonderful Sunday picnics the family would go on after church. He and Janice would love spending the day swimming in the river or pool whatever the location provided, while his parents would play cards. The siblings later would share a love of music, both playing guitars and singing the classic folk songs of the 60's.
In Baltimore, Jeff attended catholic school for all his grade school education and eventually graduated from High School at Polytechnic Institute in 1964. He enjoyed his boyhood in the city. Fondly, remembering going on the streetcar with his Grams to pick up watermelon from the docks at the Inner Harbor. He began his love of trains by spending long afternoons at the B&O train station with his Aunt Vicky. Sandlot ball games and swimming in the quarry were great fun. Finding one of his best friends, William Miller, was the highlight of those days. Even in adulthood he and Bill would spend hours playing board games reenacting battles of various wars,
Jeff went on to college first in North Carolina and then at the University of Maryland where he got his bachelor's degree. He meant his first wife Sharon at Maryland, and they married after his graduation. That union produced David Jeffery Hoiler. Things changed and so did his marriage status.
In the early 70's he was hired by Verizon (formerly C&P Telephone Co.) where he worked for the next 30 years. He found the work to be rewarding, and a couple of the highlights were making sure the pandas at the zoo had service during a Union Strike and providing phone service to the Native Americans on their reservations in California. He worked for the Charles County Government for a while after retiring from Verizon. The best part of both jobs was the close and lasting friendships he made with some of his co-workers.
After a four-year courtship he married Robin L. Sharp in 1975, and this union brought into his life an entire clan that he eventually called his own. Her 3 younger brothers (Carl W., Philip Kevin, and Christopher Sharp) and sister-in-law Marilyn Carleen Hayes produced a herd of nieces and nephews that joined the clan ranks. Her first, second and third cousins became close. One favorite cousin was Judy Conley who he kiddingly referred to as a tomato growing, witch. She was one of his favorites because she would bring him BLT sandwiches while recovering from his broken hip. He was permanently connected to the clan when their union produced two children, Casey (Cassandra Lee Ament) and Pat (Patrick William Hoiler.) He was a hands-on Dad, being a cub scout leader, softball coach and soccer, football, cheerleading promoting parent. He could be seen on the sidelines waving the Bobcat flag at many Frostburg State University Football games or holding the chains at McDonough HS. He was the mechanic and vehicle maintenance teacher for their cars. He was the GPS before GPS when they were lost. He was a tutor and homework helper, aiding with science and other projects for many.
Jeff wasn't always on the sidelines he did play men's softball for a county league. Softball produced more than sore knees and dirty shirts, it produced a lifelong friendship with Jim and Karen Gesl.
He biologically fathered 3 children, he emotionally he adopted Joy, Mandy and Danny Bechtold and became Uncle Buck to Jaime and Sarah Gesl. He was the friend you could call on to come get you in the middle of the night and he would go, no questions asked.
Jeff had passions: boating/fishing, golfing, trains and competing in cards and trivia. He held a prominent position on the Happy Campers Trivia team, being one of the reasons that they qualified for the regional competition. He played in a regular card group for years, poker was their game, but he could be seen at the Bridge or Spades table taking tricks. His golfing was twofold playing with a group at Swann Point or with the campers at the putt putt course, he enjoyed it all. He shared his train passion with his grandson Ethan and adopted grandson Kayden Spencer. The nirvana of his life was the water where he could go boating and fishing. He went from a rubber raft on the Shenandoah River to a Grady White in the Atlantic Ocean. His boating fetish brought pleasure to many, whether it was being thrown off the tube behind a motorboat or quietly fishing for rockfish on the bay.
When Jeff was two, he won first place at the New Jersey Boardwalk baby competition dressed up as Carmen Miranda. That set the stage for his other roles as Santa Claus, Professor on Gilligan's Island, Baby New Year and starring role as the Grinch in the Christmas parade.
In 2001 the role of grandfather was added to his life portfolio. This is when he was affectionately known as "Papster" to Ethan Riley Divelbliss, Addison Nicole Hoiler, Allison Aki Ament and Alexandra Anne Hoiler. He shared a Papster Day with each of his grandchildren. He would have done anything for them, driving hours to Frostburg and staying or taking them to bus stops or school every morning he did with love.
Jeff was extremely proud and expressed how happy he was that Casey and Pat both married great people. Douglas Ament and Jennifer Hoiler "DIL" who enhanced their lives.
He was grateful to all the nurses and aids that helped him while in rehab. He appreciated all the prayers and well wishes coming from family and friends during his rehab stay.
The family is grateful to the ER nurses and Doctors at Charles Regional Hospital and the Hospice staff who helped us make his last days comfortable. You can honor Jeff's memory by being kind and respectful to one another, come to a friend's aid without question, enjoy a good movie or a football game. In lieu of flowers choose a local charity or consider Hospice because of the care that they provide during a very difficult time. We will be celebrating his life on October 20, at the Port Tobacco Marina Restaurant 11 am.