Andrew "Jack" Ely

1931 - 2018

Andrew "Jack" Ely
1931 ~ 2018
Andrew "Jack" Ely passed away peacefully Monday, June 18, 2018. Jack was born in Heightstown, N.J., September 21, 1931, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Ely, a farmer and an artist. Jack's core values and work ethic were modeled from his parents as they struggled to retain their family home through the depression era. This early modeling gave Jack a foundation he followed throughout his life. Hard work was second nature to Jack. As a youth, Jack supplemented the dinner table hunting and fishing. After high school he landed his first job cutting brush for the New Jersey Turnpike. While he was working, he continued his education and achieved his degree in construction technology. Jack rose through the ranks in construction quickly. His specialty was underground heavy civil construction based predominantly in New York City starting in 1953 and continuing into 2011. His work experience was worldwide with projects in New Zealand, Indonesia, Spain and Newfoundland. He was a proud member of New York Sandhog Local 147, and a 40 year member of the "Moles." Jack was well respected in the industry and supervised some of New York's largest construction projects.
Family was extremely important to Jack and he shared his zest for hunting, fishing and the outdoors with his three sons in the Catskill Mountains. After his wife, Nancy, passed away Jack spent time in Idaho and met his second wife, Patty. Together they built a consulting business in Connecticut, and later retired and moved to Boise.
Jack was a tremendous influence in the lives of his grandchildren and his two stepsons. He was a rock to his family, a trusted advisor, and a generous and thoughtful man, always selfless and full of integrity. When he teased and laughed, his blue eyes twinkled. His love of life and boisterous personality are irreplaceable to the family.
Jack is survived by his wife, Patty, his sister, Mary Alice Cadmus, sons, Scott, Joe (Geri) and David (Alice); and stepsons, Preston (Katie), and Joel Glaisyer. Grandchildren, Jocelyn, Catie and Ben Ely and Charlie Ann and Phoebe Glaisyer.
A Memorial Service will be celebrated Friday at Sacred Heart Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Jack's honor to a charity of choice.