Ralph E. Jellison

Ralph E. Jellison, of Marblehead, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2010 at Salem Hospital ICU with his family at his side. He was the husband of the late Helen J. (Rourke) Jellison with whom he shared over 65 years of marriage. Born in Bath, Maine on July 2, 1922, he was the son of the late Louis and Irene (Bull) Jellison.

Ralph grew up in Lynn and graduated from Lynn English High School in 1940. He entered the Navy and proudly served in the Pacific during WWII. He married his wife Helen of Marblehead in Pensacola, FL before being honorably discharged. They returned to Marblehead to raise a family. He attended the Apprentice Program at G.E. in Lynn and after many years branched out on his own to form Jellison Grinding Co. and R & J Tool. He was a member of the Lynn Lions Club and also a member of the Rollins VFW Post 2005 in Marblehead. Ralph took an early retirement and spent many beautiful summer days hanging at the Landing in Marblehead socializing with friends in the town he loved.

He leaves his daughter, Judith Fitzgerald and her husband Edward of Marblehead with whom he resided; their children, Ryan of Biddeford, ME, Timothy and his fiancé Elizabeth Burns of Swampscott, and Heather of Salem; former daughter-in-law, Theresa Jellison of Salem; her children, Robert P. Jellison and his wife Bethann, and Jodi Connolly and her husband Patrick all of Salem; 10 great-grandchildren, Cailyn, Casey, Tyler, Johanna, Jessica, Haley, Bobby, Brendan, and twins Reece and Conor; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves a son Robert of Florida.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead on Friday, May 7 at 10AM. Burial with military honors to follow in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be held at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead on Thursday from 4-8PM. Donations may be made to the North Shore Medical Center, c/o Ralph Jellison, Development office, 81 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970.