Frank Ello Jr.

Frank Ello Jr.
Frank Ello Jr., 80, formerly of Vernon, CT, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Linda Ello, whom he was married to for 56 years. Frank was born on March 16, 1943, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and was the only son of Frank and Julia Ello. He was raised in Carteret, New Jersey, by his mother and his grandparents, Anna and Michael Raskulinecz. After graduating from Carteret High School in 1961, he attended the Indiana Institute of Technology and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1965. It was at this school where he met the love of his life, Linda, who was the secretary to the Dean of Engineering. While at college, he ran track, joined the fraternity of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and played guitar in a band with his friends. After graduating and marrying Linda in the same weekend in May 1965, he and Linda moved to Hartford, CT to begin his 34-year career as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney. He went on to obtain his master's degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1970 and took on many leadership roles within the company before retiring in 1999. He and Linda raised their family in Ellington and Vernon and then moved to Mystic in 2000. Frank had many interests as he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and being near the ocean. Frank was an avid wood worker and enjoyed making items for his wife, such as salad bowls, trivets, bookcases and various pieces of furniture. He was quite the handyman and always fixing things for everyone. Frank loved music and played both the guitar and piano, which he learned later in life when his children took lessons. He had a love for all types of music, ranging from rock and roll to classical music. He passed his passion of music down to his children and grandchildren. Frank acquired the hobby of running in the later half of his life. While Frank enjoyed all these hobbies, he also had a drive to help others and give back to the community. He was an active member of Saint Joseph Church in Rockville, CT and the Saint Joseph Men's Club. Upon moving to Mystic, he became an active member of Saint Mary Church in Groton, CT serving as a Eucharistic Minister to shut-ins and serving on the Parish Council in the capacity of president and then finance director. Frank's greatest joy was being around his grandchildren, sharing his hobbies with them and making them laugh. He also shared his love of reading with them. Frank was smart, kind, compassionate, funny, always there to help, and always on the go. Frank leaves his cherished children and grandchildren: Greg Ello and his spouse Debra, and their children Alex and Brandon all of Vernon; and Julie Yepes and her spouse Jorge of Higganum, and their children Briana of Colorado and Nicholas of Higganum; and several cousins in New Jersey and their families.
A time of visitation for family and friends will be at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road in Vernon, on Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 5-7 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 33 West St., in Vernon. Burial will be private in New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Brain Foundation, 201 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415, www.americanbrainfoundation.org . To leave an online condolence please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com