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- TAVARES — There are lawyers, and there are staunch advocates who bring their heart to their work.
According to Jeff Pfister's loved ones and colleagues, he was the latter.
Pfister, 71, passed away in his sleep, peacefully at his home in Tavares, on May 28, 2025.
When it came to his family, eight was enough and more so. His daughter, Seminole Springs Elementary School Principal Terri Pfister, lived by his example, as a parent, and both professionally and personally.
"Being a parent now myself, I just have one child. I think about him (her father) having his own legal practice and eight children, and somehow managed to give his all to every one of us. He was at every cheer practice that I had on Tuesday and Thursday nights, every game on Saturday from second grade through high school, every lacrosse game."
A man of large status and a larger-than-life personality, Pfister had challenges with diabetes and other health concerns. Even so, his passing was unexpected.
Born in Lake County on Oct. 31, 1953, Pfister graduated from Leesburg High School in 1971 and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1975.
He attended Florida State University Law School and completed nine consecutive semesters, receiving his diploma ahead of schedule in 1977.
After graduation, Pfister was admitted to the Florida Bar after passing the bar exam on his first attempt in 1978.
Soon after, he began working in the State Attorney's Office for the 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida. In 1985, he resigned from the state to open up his private practice and was included in the first group of Board-Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys in the State of Florida, where he remained working until the day he passed.
In 2023, Pfister was honorably inducted into the Lake County Schools Alumni Hall of Fame.
"Through all of this, he embodied patience, kindness, and humility," Pfister's obituary tells us.
In 1991, friend Gordon Oldham introduced Pfister to his wife, Lori A. Pfister. On March 4, 1992, they got married and spent their 33 years of marriage raising a large family.
He is survived by his wife, Lori, and his children: Jamie Jaggers, Shelly Jaggers, Tracy Blair, Leyna Jaggers, Beau (Crystal) Pfister, Georgea Anne Pfister, Terri Margaret and Delaney (Kayla) McPfister.
His grandkids, too: Jadeyn Pfister, Ansley Martin, Taylor Blair, Genevieve Martin, Dom Blair, Josslyn Mordini, Rossi Pfister, Joanee Mordini, Reagan Martin, Dallas Jackson, Malcolm Jackson, Kilian Pfister, Rowyn Pfister and Cooper Jeffery Soos. He also leaves behind his great-granddaughter, Eisley Parks, and soon-to-be-born Lilah Parks.
Pfister is also survived by his sister, Sheila Padden, and her husband, Mike; nephews Steven, Brian and Kevin Padden; and niece Helen Padden-McLaughlin, who held a special place in his heart.
As an attorney, Pfister often took juvenile cases, daughter Terri recalled. "I could hear him talking with some parents when we were out and about. He'd tell them that if their child could bring back a report card with all straight A's, he would waive all the legal fees."
If he had repeat offenders, he would try to talk sense into them, Terri added.
“Jeff had a zest for the practice of law that he lived, championed and shared with others until the end," attorney James Hope wrote on Pfister's tribute page. "Highly skilled in his craft, there was no doubt in my mind that this compassionate, well-respected attorney would ‘die with his boots on’, still helping clients to the best of his ability."
Hope also praised Pfister as well-read, "with an unparalleled memory," adding that he was "generous and kind as a person and effective as an advocate.
A devout Catholic, Pfister tucked his kids in with Bible stories on school nights. He also spent 27 years teaching third grade Sunday School at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Mount Dora, serving as a lector at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Leesburg for more than 30 years, and ministering to inmates at FCC Coleman through his work as a federal prison minister.
"You have to love what you do," he'd often say, and according to Terri, he backed up the sentiment every day.
"His faith was the cornerstone of his life, guiding his steps and shaping his service to others," she said.
Pfister had a smile as bright as his personality. "He just wanted the best for every person and truly saw that as potential, wherever, whatever mistakes you've ever made. That's not who you are, and you can always be so much more."
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 20, at 9 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6803 U.S. 441 South, Mount Dora.
A celebration of life will gather at O'Keefe's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 115 S Rockingham Ave., Tavares, immediately after Mass.
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1953 - 2025 (71 years)