Robert F. Ely

Robert Ely Obituary

Formerly of Middletown, NY

Robert F. Ely, 84, of Silver Spring, MD, formerly of Middletown, NY, passed away Monday, February 23, 2009, at Bedford Court in Silver Spring, MD.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Lou (Post) Ely; two daughters, Mary Lou and Peter Ekstrom of Binghamton, NY and Patricia and Ronald Komsa of Ellicott City, MD; five grandchildren: Robert and Heather Komsa and Evan, Suzanne, and Emily Ekstrom; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Russell Terry of Encinitas, CA and Joan and Robert Reithel of Lake Wales, FL; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret and Richard Nichols of Endicott, NY and his close cousin, Shirley Bilos of Endwell, NY.

After graduation from Union Endicott High School, he worked for RCA in New York City. He then served in the U.S. Army for two years during World War II. After his time in the service, he attended and graduated from SUNY Oswego and became a high school teacher in Freeport, Long Island. He moved to Middletown, NY in 1957 to teach in an Electrical Technology program that was starting at Orange County Community College. He got his Master's degree from the University of Indiana and took additional graduate courses at Farleigh Dickinson in New Jersey. He was a professor at O.C.C.C. for 27 years and then retired to Foxfire Village, NC in 1984. He volunteered tutoring math at Sandhills Community College until he suffered a stroke in October, 2000.

With the help of his special caretaker, Charles Henderson, he was able to live at home with his wife until 2007. He then moved to Quail Haven Nursing Home in North Carolina and in November of 2007 he moved to Bedford Court to be closer to his family.

Bob was a member of Mt. Carmel Church in Middletown and also attended mass at St. Albert's Jr. Seminary. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst, NC. Throughout his life, Bob was known as an outgoing, caring person. He was a wonderful husband and father, a terrific teacher, and a great friend.

Bob did not want a funeral. Instead, he would like his family and friends to go to their own place of worship and say a prayer for him. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation to your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Herald-Record on Mar. 1, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Ely

6 Entries

Sharon Dickstein

March 4, 2009

Dear Mary Lou,
I was very much saddened to read about your tremendous loss. While I did not know Bob very well, I know the kind of person you are. You are devoted, caring and loving in all that you do and are. Be comforted by the wonderful memories of the beautiful life you had together.Your loving daughters and family must have provided great joy to both of you.
Although it was only for three years that I worked with you at Chorley, you modeled the leadership and teacher support that is so important to good staff morale and professional development. You taught me a great deal. I loved working with you at Chorley. My children went to Chorley and had fabulous experiences there. Barbara Davis and Jean Heater really left their impression on the kids. Gary Wakeman was the principal when the kids graduated from Chorley. I have remained close friends with Steve and Roz Shaw, and Irma Scherz.
Did you know that Middletown School district is planning to demolish Chorley and build a new elementary school on the property? The district stated it would cost too much to renovate a building that has been plagued by problems. I am absolutely heartbroken about this decision. Chorley was such an exemplary educational setting, and provided an outstanding role in our community.
In 1989 I left my Instructional Leader position in Middletown to become the principal of the Bicentennial School in the Port Jervis School District. It has been a great run, but after 39 years I will retire on June 30th. I see Tangeline Sechrist one of your daughter's friends from when she worked in PJ. Tang is the librarian at PJ HS.
Allen and I have 4 children. My daughter is an Occupational Therapy Supervisor at St Vincent's Hospital in NYC. My oldest son is a Physical Therapist in private practice in Bethesda, MD. He is recently married. My twin sons are presently living in Cambridge Ma. Aaron will graduate from Tufts Medical School in May. Mike is a 3rd year PHD candidate in Economics at Harvard. They are 26 years old. I think that is around the time you retired.
Once again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Most sincerely,
Sharon

sue sherburne

March 3, 2009

My husband and I both were students of Mr. Ely at Orange County Community College. He stood out as a great teacher and was one of our favorites. He encouraged me in my desire to push for more in my electrical engineering education. We will always remember him with a smile.
Sue and Rich Sherburne

Laurie Mattatall (Dollaway)

March 2, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have so many fond memories of the times I spent at your house when we were in elementary school.

Dolores Steeley

March 1, 2009

I spent a lot to time at the Ely house during high school-Mr. Ely was always so welcoming and I have wonderful memories of many times there with Pat and her family. I will treasure those memories. I am so glad that I got a chance to see him last year in Maryland.

Janet Young

March 1, 2009

We were very sad to hear that Bob is gone. We had many good times traveling, playing cards and talking about our kids and jobs. We have a special photo of Bob and Mary Lou at the Riverboat in NYC. We had driven through the snow for the evening of dancing and eating. What a good time! Bob was always interested and interesting. We miss you .
John and Janet Young

Janet Nichols

March 1, 2009

Dear Aunt Mary Lou, Mary Lou and Pat and families,

We are thinking of you during this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Love, Janet, Dave, Derek and Megan

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