Published in the August 12, 2016 edition
WAKEFIELD — P. Lawrence “Larry” Ellis, 90, of Wakefield, died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Aug. 5 surrounded by his loving family.
Larry was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia as a U.S. citizen due to his parents, Herman and Caroline, being American citizens. As with most families in the late ‘20s and ‘30s life was difficult which shaped his personality.
He attended Stoneham High School, but as most young men, answered the call to serve in the military during World War II. He enlisted in the Coast Guard at the age of 17 and proudly served as a stationary engineer on Navy patrol frigates in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean on the USS Uniontown and Knoxville.
On leave in Boston, through mutual friends, he met the love of his life, our mother. They we married on April 17, 1949. The 67 years they had together is a testament to the bond they made that day. They purchased a home in Wakefield in 1952 and Larry spent the next 64 years subtracting, adding and repairing the homestead.
Using the skills learned in the Coast Guard as a stationary engineer he worked at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, a position he held for the next 20 years. It was very convenient for the start of a family, he didn’t have to go far for a visit with our mom and his newborn.
Nancy, Janet, Larry and Sharon were born and his focus turned to that of family which only grew as the years passed.
During this period, he also picked up a necessary hobby, “Backyard Mechanic.” He was extremely skilled at mechanical processes, but also exposed us to a whole new vocabulary. After Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Larry moved on to the “Big City” and worked for Cabot, Cabot and Forbes on State Street in Boston where he would stay until his retirement.
In 2001 he received his Honorary High School Diploma from Stoneham High School graduating with the senior class.
The family grew. Ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, he had found a new profession.
Larry was a private person so most would not know the little things that made him very unique. He chronicled everything on calendars and in notebooks and he used special codes as shorthand. We hope to someday find the key to the codes. He enjoyed classic movies, reading, listening to the police and fire scanner, watching the Montreal Canadiens beating the Bruins, watching his family’s sporting events, loved the many birthdays (especially the cake and ice cream), cutting the “weeds,” shoveling snow was high on the list and a daily dose of Moxie to name a few.
He cherished his wife, his family, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his American citizenship and his military service. High on his list, the Montreal Canadiens, Moxie, “Made in the USA” and Duct Tape.
We thank you for your service to this country and being the best Husband, Father, Bumpa, Grampa and Great Grampa you could be. We love you and God Speed.
Larry was the beloved husband of Muriel Stiles Ellis for 67 years. He was the loving father of Nancy Ellis Downs of Florida, Janet E. DuLong and her husband Louis of Dracut, Lawrence A. Ellis and his wife Carol of Wakefield and Sharon E. Adams and her husband James of Woburn. He was the cherished grandfather of Tracy, Shawna, Tara, Ryan, Jamie, Sean, Keri, Andrew, James and Alicia. He was the caring brother of Robert Ellis and his late wife June of Maine and the late Dorothy Rahilly and her late husband Paul. He was the brother in law of Priscilla Poehler of Reading and the late Arthur Stiles and Ruth Cutcliffe. Also survived by 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you for the outstanding medical care Larry received from all of the staff at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, Aug. 11 from 10-11 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.
Burial in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon St., Melrose MA 02176. To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.
