Eileen Exiner
a/k/a Maxine, Carla, The Grumpy Waitress
and Dear Friend
March 24, 1944-Oct. 12, 2014

I wanted to share this slideshow with you that I made to tribute my dear family friend, Eileen Exiner. She worked at my family restaurant, John’s Harvest Inn for over 16 years in Middletown, New York. My brother Michael and I spent many wonderful summers, winters and family occasions in upstate New York and at the restaurant where we were fortunate to have spent a lot of quality time with Eileen. Michael loved to take random snapshots of Eileen over the years…and boy did she get annoyed! A majority of these photos were taken by him to mess with Eileen. If have a few minutes, take a moment to watch this clip.

Eileen loved to talk – and you were never quite sure what she was going to say. Her salty wit and wisdom – which personified the phrase “Tell it like it is” and often prompted a response of “Oh, Eileen!” – earned her those various nicknames. But despite that sometimes rough exterior, inside was a genuine and generous woman with a heart of gold.

Although a hard-worker, she loved the beach and would have turned in her tray in a heartbeat for the chance to rank the world’s resorts. She loved slot machines, too. Once in Vegas she asked us to order her dessert while she went to the bathroom. We were beginning to get concerned that she was gone so long. But eventually she found her way back to us with a bucket of quarters in hand. Yep, she got sidetracked … and might have even forgotten about the restroom, too.

Cruises were a natural draw. Not only do cruises combine beaches and gambling, they offer the opportunity to be on the other side of the table. She was amazed that anyone could smile and repeatedly say, “It would be my pleasure” to multiple diners’ unending requests …

RIP my dear friend. Until we meet again!