Ronald M. Ellis, age 77, a lifelong resident of Natick, died on Friday morning, February 3, 2012, at the MetroWest Medical Center in Natick.
Born on May 12, 1934, he was a son of the late Howard W. and Helen J. (Smith) Ellis. Ron was a graduate of the Natick Public Schools and excelled in sports, particularly in high school. He lettered in Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey, the last of which he was team captain during senior year. He also played baseball with the Cape Cod League. Ron served with the US Air Force as a radio operator, and continued his education at both Bridgewater State College and Boston University.
Ron was employed for over 30 years as a project manager with GTE Sylvania. He married Virginia M. Hinckley on June 12, 1960, and as their sons grew, he coached their sons in Little League baseball and hockey with the Natick Comets. Since his retirement in 1989, Ron has stayed active driving a neighborhood bus part time for MetroWest Transit. Through the years his enthusiasm for sports never waned and he played in baseball, softball, and golf leagues, most recently with a Thursday golf league playing at Juniper Hill Golf Course. He followed New England sports teams faithfully. On May 6, 2010, Ron was inducted into the Natick Athletic Hall of Fame for his NHS Hockey team’s victory as Massachusetts State Champions in 1951. He was a life member of the BPOE Natick Lodge #1425, the Natick VFW Post 1274, and the Natick America Legion Post 107. He most enjoyed his family, day trips with his wife, and time spent at his summer vacation cabin in Maine.
He is survived by Virginia; four sons, Ronald M. Ellis, Jr., and wife Pam of Mattapoisett, Roger H. Ellis and companion Laura Fisher of Pepperell, Richard A. Ellis and fiancé Joanne Desjardins of Framingham, and Robert R. Ellis and wife Lisa of North Kingstown, RI; four grandchildren, Bradley, Jake, Jonah, and Neil; a brother, Raymond S. Ellis and wife Glenna of Gouldsboro, ME; an aunt, Christy Smith of Steuben, ME; a niece, Kris Montalbano of Natick; and a nephew, Donald Ellis of Steuben, ME.
His funeral will be held at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Wednesday, Feb. 8th at 11:00a.m. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, 4 – 7p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Ron’s memory to the Natick Elks Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 381, Natick, MA 01760.